Kirstem, a little-known name, carries a nuclear disaster worse than the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents. In this claustrophobic 32-year secret, there is a thrilling story of a terrifying nuclear waste explosion that affects the fate of mankind. Closely related to the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Kishttam nuclear waste explosion not only exposed the fragility of scientific knowledge, but also revealed the shady nature of the government's concealment of the truth. This article takes you through the mists of time and delves into this forgotten nuclear catastrophe, and its shocking consequences.
On September 29, 1957, Kershtym, a once forgotten town, suddenly burst into view, like a black hole star that suddenly exploded. On this afternoon, the nightmare of the Mayako nuclear fuel production site in the Soviet Union struck, a huge container containing 80 tons of nuclear waste, containing radioactive waste, accidentally ignited, the explosion was like thunder, and hundreds of tons of concrete roofs were blown away. In the sky of Kashtem, radioactive radiation spread violently, like a ghost's hand, reaching northeast, floating for more than 300 kilometers, polluting the fate of countless people.
The tragedy of Kershtem is closely related to the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union, and the Soviet government built the Mayak nuclear plant during the Cold War to catch up with the United States, a huge project that took into account nuclear weapons materials and nuclear power plant services. However, immature craftsmanship and rushed construction led to this terrible disaster. Engineers had naively believed that sturdy underground tanks would be enough to withstand all stress, ignoring the fragility of the cooling system. The failed cooling system caused the temperature inside the waste to rise sharply, turning the liquid nuclear waste into a more dangerous solid, eventually triggering a huge explosion equivalent to 70 to 100 tons of TNT explosives. The shock wave caused by the explosion not only destroyed the local buildings in an instant, but also shattered all the glass within a 3-kilometer radius.
The radioactive material released by the explosion became the trigger for the nightmare. Nuclear waste contains radioactive substances such as strontium-90 and cesium-137, which are scattered by the wind as deadly radioactive dust clouds blow away, shrouding entire regions in the shadow of death. When residents heard the explosions, they looked in horror at the changing colors of the sky, mistaking them for a nuclear war. However, the truth is even more terrifying, because radiation clouds have already contaminated countless areas of Kasley and the eastern foothills of the South Urals, and hundreds of people have died from nuclear radiation poisoning in just a few days. Their lives are filled with agony, swollen bodies, ulcerated skin, and emotional agitation, a cruel mockery of radiation.
However, the Soviet government chose to hide the facts and began evacuating the surrounding population only a week later, without revealing the truth. While the international community began to doubt the Soviet Union's silence, the United States was also actively conducting nuclear tests, choosing to remain silent to avoid public indignation. The Kishttam nuclear waste explosion became a cover-up history, like a black page, buried in the dust of time.
However, the truth cannot be covered up forever. Decades later, documents declassified by the CIA revealed flaws in the design and management of the Kashtem nuclear facility, as well as the immaturity of the way nuclear waste was disposed of. Soviet scientists dumped large amounts of nuclear waste directly into lakes and rivers without taking into account the effects of groundwater flows, which led to the contamination of nearby lakes. Lake Karachay, in particular, became the hardest hit area for pollution, with levels of radioisotopes far exceeding the amount released in the Chernobyl disaster. The government responded by burying radioactive material in concrete to prevent re-polluting the environment when the water level drops, however, these pollutants have penetrated into the groundwater and threatened
A large number of people's lives.
Until 1992, the results of the Soviet Ministry of Health's findings shocked the world. In the 32 years since the accident, a total of 8,015 people have died from radiation poisoning in and around Kashitem, including 6,000 from cancer, and these tragedies have focused on the Tcha River basin, 85 kilometers away. Even so, thousands of people choose to live in the radiation-affected land, but they dare not drink the local river water, let alone eat the fish in the river. The radioactive substance strontium-90 has long been deposited in the bones of these people, becoming an imprint that can never be erased.
The Kishtym nuclear waste explosion was the third most serious nuclear accident in human history, but it was distorted and covered up by the Soviet government for a long time. The impact of this catastrophe extends far beyond the local area, warning us of ignorance and arrogance in the technological and military race. And the government's concealment and misdirection make people feel a thirst for the truth and doubts about power.
Now, with the passage of time, the Kashtem nuclear waste explosion has finally been revealed and become part of history. However, this shocking story should still remind us that the power of nuclear energy is a double-edged sword, and that scientific and technological progress must be accompanied by accountability and transparency. We should not forget those who lost their lives in this nuclear catastrophe, nor should we forget the lessons that will be etched in the pages of human history in order to be able to respond more wisely to the challenges ahead. At the same time, the story of Kershtem is a warning that countries today should exercise caution in the handling of nuclear waste, and must not repeat the mistakes of the past and put the future of humanity in danger again.
Due to the rules of the platform, you will only be recognized as a fan if you have more interaction with me. If you like my article, you can click "Follow", and you can receive the article push as soon as you become an iron fan.