Chernobyl, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, has become a popular destination for adventurous tourists who want to experience something different. Many of them are attracted by the possibility of getting a dose of radiation and a selfie with a mutant animal.
According to the Chernobyl Tourism Agency, the number of visitors has increased by 300% in the last year. The agency offers various tours and packages, ranging from one-day trips to week-long stays in the exclusion zone. The tours include visits to the abandoned city of Pripyat, the nuclear power plant, and the Red Forest, where the radiation levels are still high.
The agency claims that the tours are safe and educational, and that the radiation exposure is minimal and harmless. However, some tourists are not satisfied with just looking at the ruins and the wildlife. They want to get closer to the action and feel the effects of radiation.
Some of them have been caught sneaking into restricted areas, taking off their protective suits, touching radioactive objects, and even eating contaminated food. They hope that by doing so, they will get a “radiation buzz” and a souvenir to show off to their friends.