In April 1986, an explosion at a Soviet nuclear plant released four hundred times more radiation into the atmosphere than the Hiroshima bomb.The horrific events at Chernobyl are explored in the latest episode of this drama-documentary series, which recounts the story once shrouded in secrecy from the perspective of Valeri Legasov. Legasov was the scientist responsible for leading the investigation into the explosion but, two years later, he committed suicide. His death sent shock waves through the Soviet nuclear industry. Surviving Disaster follows the inside battle to deal with the immediate aftermath of the explosion, as personnel at the plant fought to prevent meltdown, as well as the investigation that was held into the disaster. This dramatic reconstruction from eyewitness accounts exposes a disturbing truth: that those living and working around Chernobyl were victims not just of the radiation, but also of the secrets and denials of those they trusted.

Summary written by BBC Press Office