Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant sarcophagus

The metal and concrete enclosure measures higher than the Statue of Liberty and wider than London's Wembley Stadium, containing reactor number 4 of the power plant.

The initial sarcophagus, constructed in 206 days during 1986, required 400,000 cubic meters of concrete and 7,300 tons of metal framework to contain radiation after the accident.

The structure represents an international collaboration effort, with components manufactured in Italy and assembled by a French consortium to protect future generations.

The New Safe Confinement now enables scientists to monitor radiation levels and conduct research while preventing water infiltration into the contaminated reactor core.

The interior of the structure contains 200 tons of radioactive corium, 30 tons of contaminated dust, and 16 tons of uranium and plutonium from the original reactor.

Location: Pripyat

Inception: November 1986

GPS coordinates: 51.38964,30.09903

Latest update: September 11, 2025 23:48