Pripyat
In April of 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, sending dangerous levels of radiation billowing into the sky. The nearby city housing the families of Chernobyl workers, Pripyat, mobilized a mass evacuation of the city, telling residents they would only be gone for a short time. They were never allowed to return. Over nearly forty years, nature has slowly overtaken the city. Trees grow through the once vibrant streets. The buildings are crumbling, victims of water damage and neglect. Pripyat’s ‘ghost town’ has since attracted visitors and tourists. Tourists must apply for permission to go to Pripyat with a guide. While there are some permitted tourists in the city, many go there without permission and stalk about illegally, They dodge security (including helicopters!) and constantly have the threat of capture over their heads.