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news
worldnews
europe
ukraine
8473439
-----
# Chernobyl anniversary: 5 lessons from the disaster
## Ukraine marks the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. What
have we learned 25 years on?
![A crucifix is seen in the deserted city of Pripyat, near the Chernobyl
nuclear power plant, Ukraine. 47,000 residents of the city of Pripyat were
evacuated after the explosion on 26 April 1986. ][1]
A crucifix is seen in the deserted city of Pripyat, near the Chernobyl nuclear
power plant, Ukraine. 47,000 residents of the city of Pripyat were evacuated
after the explosion on 26 April 1986. Photo: EPA
10:44AM BST 26 Apr 2011
**1. Tell the truth**
After the Chernobyl disaster, the authorities failed to alert the public to
the danger for three days, putting thousands of lives at risk. Today, there is
still a need for total transparency when it comes to nuclear accidents.
Speaking before the anniversary, Dmitry Medvedev, the **[Russian][2]**
president, acknowledged: "Any attempt to hide the truth turns into tragedy."
**2. Evacuate **
Soviet authorities were initially in denial over the extent of the crisis and
failed to move people living close to the reactor to safety in the hours and
days after the incident. If they had acted sooner, countless lives would have
been saved.
**3. Closely monitor radiation levels in food **
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A report from the UN's scientific committee on the effects of atomic radiation
found that a rise in thyroid cancer was the only substantial medical legacy of
Chernobyl in the general population. The cancers came about because Soviet
authorities allowed children to continue to drink heavily contaminated milk.
As a result, many children received high doses of radiation to the thyroid.
**4. Comply with safety rules**
International reports have blamed the poor design of the Soviet RBMK (High
Power Channel-type Reactor), a lack of safety culture at the plant and errors
by operators for the Chernobyl disaster. The accident illustrates the
importance of complying with basic safety principles for nuclear power plants.
**5. Plan ahead **
Experts have suggested that the Chernobyl accident demonstrated the need to
establish and support a high-level national emergency response system in case
of man-made accidents.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/8473439/Chernobyl-
anniversary-5-lessons-from-the-disaster.html
Telegraph
## [Ukraine][14]
* ### [News »][15]
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* ### [Russia »][2]
In news
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