6. Chernobyl First Responders
The meltdown of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in what is now Ukraine remains the most severe atomic power incident in the world. It is one of only two category-seven nuclear episodes in history, the other being the Fukushima Daiichi disaster after the Japanese earthquake of 2011. In 1986, one of the Chernobyl reactors entered severe and irreversible meltdown. An unexpected power surge during a test caused several explosions which triggered a collapse by exposing the reactor’s graphite moderator to air, which caused it to ignite.
While it was clear something terrible had happened at Chernobyl, the USSR did not publicly acknowledge the extent or severity of the meltdown for some time. This decision exposed first responders to incredible danger. Chernobyl’s line of first responders was called the Chernobyl Liquidators, and they responded immediately to the steam explosions with the intention of putting out any fires and attempting to limit the reactor’s meltdown.
The first responders heroically dove headfirst into the site and attempted to contain and mitigate as much damage as they possibly could. They were given no protective equipment against radiation and were exposed to levels of radiation that are not compatible with life. Many died gruesome deaths from radiation poisoning within hours or days of exposure. Their heroism did help to mitigate some of the damage and likely saved other lives through the reduced radioactive fallout.
Check this out: Infamous 1986 Chernobyl Disaster Photos.