The 1986 meltdown of the Chernobyl reactor was one of our greatest disasters. Countless people lost their lives, and the area surrounding the reactor – known as the exclusion zone – is still highly irradiated. Pripyat is a ghost town, occupied only by the decaying buildings, wildlife, and the occasional brave reporter.
Last year, filmmaker Danny Cook visited Pripyat, Chernobyl, to capture drone footage for a 60 Minutes segment called Postcards from Pripyat, Chernobyl. He’s been kind enough to share the footage online, and I think you’ll agree that it’s absolutely stunning. While you watch the video, try and imagine what this place must have looked like before the accident, full of life and people.
“Chernobyl is one of the most interesting and dangerous places I’ve been,” writes Cooke. “During my stay, I met so many amazing people, one of whom was my guide Yevgen, also known as a ‘Stalker’. We spent the week together exploring Chernobyl and the nearby abandoned city of Pripyat. There was something serene, yet highly disturbing about this place. Time has stood still and there are memories of past happenings floating around us.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the Chernobyl disaster, you’ll find a good overview on this website. You can also visit a virtual version of the region in the classic “S.T.A.L.K.E.R” games.
