HBO’s hit TV show ‘Chernobyl’ has rekindled interest in nuclear tourism, while visits to the mass tragedy site are likely to double by the end of the year. Local guides and survivors decry fake displays and treasure hunts.
LRT went to see how mass tourism has been affecting Chernobyl.
Tour groups have increased substantially since HBO's hit show 'Chernobyl' was released earlier this year | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Local service worker in Chernobyl town | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Shop in Chernobyl town serving service workers and tourists | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Tourists and local service workers use the only shop available in the area | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
The area is still littered by organic debris | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Many objects, however, seem peculiarly out of place. According to the local guide, objects are routinely rearranged or outright replaced for the tourists. | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Tourists groups featured numerous languages, including Lithuanian and English | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Selfies and poses have recently drawn criticism from survivors, due to the alleged disrespect in light of the mass tragedy | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Tourist takes a picture of Soviet-era gates | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Chernobyl fire service drives past a group of tourists | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Tourist takes a selfie in front of the Pripyat sign | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Objects and memorabilia are often conspicuously out of place | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Tourists measure radiation | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
LRT journalists seldom found Pripyat to be eerie, due to the sheer number of tourist groups | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Landmark objects in Pripyat, such as the theme park, have featured prominently in movies, video games, and in group tours | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Some objects have been placed in scenic, and photogenic conditions for the approaching tourists | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
The swimming pool in Chernobyl was used up until 1996 by local workers. Its image was immortalized by video games and movies, subsequently becoming synonymous with Chernobyl pop-culture | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Radiation. the silent killer portrayed so poignantly in HBO's 'Chernobyl', is a constant reminder of the world's worst nuclear incident | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
