Chernobyl roof collapse did not affect radiation levels, Ukrainian officials say
A view of the 4th power block of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant taken on April 18, 2011. In the heart of Chernobyl, Ukrainian specialists regularly venture inside the concrete cover sheltering the ruined reactor after it exploded on April 26, 1986 to check its structure and radiation levels.
A section of the roof at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant collapsed after a heavy snowfall, the Associated Press reported.
Ukrainian officials said there was no safety concern to the public.
Chernobyl plant spokeswoman Maya Rudenko told The Associated Press that a "6,500-square-foot section of the roof over the turbine hall at the fourth power block collapsed Tuesday."
In 1986, an accident at Chernobyl resulted in radioactive fallout that spread across Europe and the area around the plant is still generally off limits, AP wrote.
More from GlobalPost: Chernobyl survivors say Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster bears little resemblance to their plight
Rudenko said the roof collapsed over 100 feet away from a shelter built shortly after the 1986 incident to contain radiation.
According to the World Nuclear Organization, two workers died on the night of that deadly accident, and another 28 people died from radiation poisoning within the weeks following the diasaster.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!