Thirty-three years after the nuclear disaster, Chernobyl has surged back into the popular consciousness. The recently released HBO’s miniseries of the same name has propelled this historical event back into the mainstream.
Explosions, radiation sickness, evacuations and contamination have all been part of the immediate timeline of events of Chernobyl. But what have been the long-term socio-economic and environmental consequences of the disaster. Against the odds, wildlife has thrived in the Exclusion Zone, giving rise to eco-tourism tours in the area. Major economic challenges remain, however, including soil contamination and low job creation in the affected districts.
Photographer Jean Gaumy documented four districts bordering Chernobyl, providing a glimpse into the daily life of its communities.