Ukraine to open the zone of Chernobyl tourists in 2011 (USA TODAY)

Ukraine to open Chernobyl zone tourists 2011By Maria Danilova, Associated PressKIEV Ukraine - want a better understanding of the worst nuclear disaster of the world? Come tour Chernobyl nuclear plant.Beginning next year plans to open sealed around of the visitors who wish to learn more about the tragedy that took place close to a quarter of a century ago, the Department of the said reactor No. 4 of the Monday.Chernobyl emergency Chernobyl reactor area Ukraine exploded on 26 April 1986, releasing radiation on a broad swath of Northern Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people were resettled in areas contaminated by radiation Ukraine benefits, the Belarus and the Russia. Health problems still persist.The so-called zone of exclusion, a highly contaminated area within a radius of 30 miles from the reactor exploded, was evacuated and walled in the aftermath of the explosion. All tours were prohibited.Today, approximately 2,500 employees maintain the remains of the now-closed nuclear power, working in shifts to reduce their exposure to radiation. Disaster hundreds are returned to their villages in the region, despite a ban by the Government. Some companies now offers tours to the restricted area, but the Government says these visits are illegal and their security is not guaranteed.Emergency situations spokesman said Yulia Yershova Department experts develop routes of travel to be medically safe and informative for Ukrainians as well as foreign visitors. It does not give an exact date where visits should begin. "It y to see it if it follows the official track and move away from the group,"Yershova told the Associated Press." "But it's a very sad story."Development of the United Nations Chief Helen Clark visited Chernobyl Baloha on Sunday and said she supported the plan because it would raise funds and tell an important lesson for nuclear safety. "" Personally, I think the opportunity of telling a story here and of course the process of telling a story, even a sad story, is something which is positive in economic and positive terms very important messages "Clark said, according to his department office.The also said Monday he hopes to complete the construction of a new more secure shell for the reactor exploded by 2015. The new shelter will focus on the structure of concrete and iron original hastily constructed on the reactor was leakage radiation, cracking and threat of collapse.The new shell are 345 ft, 853 feet wide and 490 feet long. It weighs 20,000 tonnes and slipped into the former shelter to the track. The new structure will be large enough to accommodate the Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris or the statue of liberty in New York.The cost of a project, financed by international donors, has increased $ 505 million (euro380 million) 1.15 billion due to stricter safety requirements according to the Ukrainian officials.The Bank European reconstruction and development, who manages the project, said a final project cost estimate will be published after the consortium led by French Novarka puts to the point in the next months.Copyright building plan some 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Guidelines: you share in the community today to the United States, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally and keep your decent language. Use the "Report abuse" button to make a difference. Read more.