MINSK, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Belarus observed the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster with nationwide memorial events on Sunday.
Minsk residents gathered at the Chernobyl memorial to mourn the victims and honor the heroes who sacrificed their lives in cleanup operations.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry expressed the country's openness to international dialogue on addressing the ongoing consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, highlighting its commitment to collective efforts in disaster management and health protection.
On April 26, 1986, Reactor No. 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the former Soviet republic of Ukraine exploded, releasing more than eight tonnes of highly radioactive material. Belarus, a former Soviet republic at the time, also suffered the brunt of the nuclear fallout.
Since the tragedy, Belarus has developed significant expertise in managing the impact of such technological disasters, implementing six state programs for recovery, and creating a network of over 500 radiation control laboratories, according to reports.
It has made significant strides in reducing contaminated areas and restoring normal living conditions in over 1,657 settlements over the past four decades. ■