Horizon Season 1991 Episode 15 Inside Chernobyl's Sarcophagus

Inside Chernobyl's Sarcophagus is an episode of the BBC documentary series Horizon, first aired in 1991. The episode takes viewers on a journey into the heart of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, by exploring the inside of the temporary structure which was built to contain the damaged reactor, known as the Sarcophagus.

The episode begins by providing some historical context for the Chernobyl disaster, which occurred in April 1986. Viewers are shown footage of the immediate aftermath of the explosion, and reminded of the scale of the disaster. Chernobyl was the worst nuclear accident in history, with wide-ranging impacts on the health and wellbeing of the people who lived in the surrounding areas.

The main focus of the episode, however, is on the Sarcophagus itself. Viewers are taken on a guided tour of the structure, which was hastily constructed in the weeks and months after the accident to prevent further releases of radioactive material from the damaged reactor. The Sarcophagus was essentially a giant concrete and steel shell, designed to contain the radioactive debris and prevent any further explosions or releases of radioactive material.

The tour of the Sarcophagus is carried out by a group of workers who are responsible for monitoring and maintaining the structure. Viewers are shown footage of the workers entering the Sarcophagus in protective clothing, carrying out routine checks and measurements. The conditions inside the Sarcophagus are incredibly challenging, with high levels of radiation, extreme temperatures, and low visibility. The workers explain how they carry out their tasks, and the precautions they take to protect themselves from the radiation.

The episode also explores some of the technical challenges involved in constructing the Sarcophagus. Viewers are shown archive footage of the construction process, which was carried out at breakneck speed in extremely difficult conditions. The workers who built the structure faced significant risks, both from the radiation and from the precarious nature of the work.

One of the most striking aspects of the Sarcophagus is its sheer size. The structure is over 100 metres long, and weighs over 7,000 tonnes. Viewers are shown footage of the workers navigating the giant structure, highlighting the scale of the challenge they face in maintaining it.

The episode also touches on some of the environmental and social impacts of the disaster. Viewers are shown footage of the abandoned town of Pripyat, which was evacuated in the aftermath of the explosion. The town is now a ghost town, with buildings slowly decaying in the absence of human habitation. The episode also highlights the ongoing health impacts of the disaster, including the increased prevalence of thyroid cancer among those who were exposed to the radiation.

Overall, Inside Chernobyl's Sarcophagus is a fascinating and sobering exploration of the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster. Through its exploration of the Sarcophagus, the episode provides a glimpse into the technical, environmental, and social challenges that the disaster created. While the episode is somewhat dated in terms of its production values, it remains a powerful testament to the human cost of nuclear accidents, and a reminder of the ongoing need to manage nuclear technology safely.