Moldovan president says Chernobyl disaster reminds that life, health, environmental protection must always come first

President Maia Sandu today paid tribute to the people who had put their lives to risk, in order to mitigate the effects of the Chernobyl catastrophe, 39 years after the tragic nuclear accident at the nuclear power plant.

The head of state emphasized that over 3,500 Moldovans had responded to the call to intervene in the affected area, proving courage and sacrifice. "Many of them are no longer with us, but their courage and sacrifice compel us not to forget. Today, we bow in memory of those who saved millions of lives," President Sandu said.

In her message, the Moldovan president stressed that the Chernobyl tragedy stayed a stark warning about the dangers of nuclear energy and the need to protect life and the environment. "The lesson of Chernobyl is clear: life, people's health and environmental protection must always come first," the head of state noted.

In the context of the current Russian aggression against Ukraine, President Maia Sandu drew attention to the renewed risk of nuclear accidents and reiterated the call for collective responsibility, strict rules, effective oversight and solid international cooperation to prevent such tragedies.

Photo: June 15, 1986, the first Moldovans in Chernobyl, National Archives Agency