People in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, together with the rest of the world, are commemorating the 23th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, the worst nuclear power plant disaster in history.

At 1:23 a.m. on 26 April 1986 reactor number four exploded at the Chernobyl plant in Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union, spreading radioactive fallout across Europe. But not until three days later, when the fallout was detected in Sweden, would the Soviet authorities admit that there had been an accident.

The series of explosions killed more than fifty people. Around 4,000 are believed to have died of cancer in the aftermath of the disaster, and millions across Europe have been exposed to harmful nuclear radiation of different degrees.

Chernobyl ruined the reputation and public acceptance of nuclear power for years to come. But with growing concern over global warming and energy security nukes seem staged for a comeback. Meanwhile, the world’s twelve leading nuclear technology nations and the European Union have joined forces to develop a new generation of nuclear reactors for safer, cheaper and cleaner power generation.

But Chernobyl is not forgotten. British no nukes campaigners protesting against plans to build new nuclear reactors, used a two-day camp-out this weekend in Sizewell to mark the 23rd anniversary of the disaster. In Minsk, meanwhile, Gay activists were told they are not wanted in the annual Chernobyl remembrance march – one of few public occasions allowed by the Belarusian authorities in which the political opposition can take part.

Quirin Schiermeier