2. The Night of the Disaster: April 26, 1986
In the early hours of April 26, 1986, a routine safety test at Reactor 4 rapidly spiraled out of control. Operators, following flawed procedures, pushed the reactor into a dangerously unstable state. Suddenly, a massive explosion tore through the building, releasing a torrent of radioactive material into the night sky. Confusion and disbelief gripped the control room as alarms blared and fires raged. At first, few comprehended the magnitude of what had occurred, setting the stage for a disaster unlike any before.
