Exploring the Abandoned Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: A Photo Journey

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<strong>Radioactivity detection:</strong> "It's absolutely safe," Korol says of safety concerns regarding radiation levels. "The radiation they [visitors] are exposed to on a tour is less than on an intercontinental flight."
<strong>Radioactivity detection:</strong> “It’s absolutely safe,” Korol says of safety concerns regarding radiation levels. “The radiation they [visitors] are exposed to on a tour is less than on an intercontinental flight.”
<strong>Visitor surge:</strong> Tour operators say interest in the Chernobyl power plant has increased since the launch of HBO show "Chernobyl."
Visitor surge: Tour operators say interest in the Chernobyl power plant has increased since the launch of HBO show “Chernobyl.”
<strong>TV magic: </strong>Stellan Skarsgard, Jared Harris and Emily Watson star in the highly rated HBO series.
<strong>TV magic: </strong>Stellan Skarsgard, Jared Harris and Emily Watson star in the highly rated HBO series.
<strong>Exclusion zone: </strong>Travelers can visit an observation point 300 meters away from the New Safe Confinement, which covers the remains of the number four reactor.
<strong>Exclusion zone: </strong>Travelers can visit an observation point 300 meters away from the New Safe Confinement, which covers the remains of the number four reactor.
<strong>Top attraction:</strong> Tour company SoloEast has reported a rise of around 35% in the months since the HBO show first aired.
<strong>Top attraction:</strong> Tour company SoloEast has reported a rise of around 35% in the months since the HBO show first aired.
<strong>Quick turnaround: </strong>"Most of the people say they decided to visit after seeing this show," says Victor Korol, director of SoloEast. "It's almost as though they watch it and then jump on a plane over."
<strong>Quick turnaround: </strong>”Most of the people say they decided to visit after seeing this show,” says Victor Korol, director of SoloEast. “It’s almost as though they watch it and then jump on a plane over.”
<strong>Contaminated area: </strong>Situated around 110 kilometers north of Kiev, Chernobyl is one of the most polluted places in the world.
<strong>Contaminated area: </strong>Situated around 110 kilometers north of Kiev, Chernobyl is one of the most polluted places in the world.
<strong>Guided trips:</strong> The meeting room in the underground shelter of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is also open to visitors.
<strong>Guided trips:</strong> The meeting room in the underground shelter of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is also open to visitors.
<strong>TV magic:</strong> SoloEast has been taking between 100 and 200 visitors to the area on weekend days since "Chernobyl" first screened.
<strong>TV magic:</strong> SoloEast has been taking between 100 and 200 visitors to the area on weekend days since “Chernobyl” first screened.
<strong>Safety checks:</strong> Visitors pass through radiation measuring devices during guided tours around Chernobyl.
<strong>Safety checks:</strong> Visitors pass through radiation measuring devices during guided tours around Chernobyl.

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