The disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was not like anything that had happened before. As radioactive particles spread over much of Europe, fears grew of another blast at Chernobyl. In the hours and days after the explosion, thousands worked to prevent further catastrophe, but in doing so absorbed radiation that has left a permanent scar on their lives. Valeriy Repeta was on his way back from checking on the power plant’s filter-regenerators when the explosion happened. Forty years after the disaster and this is his story. SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more videos: http://www.youtube.com/skynews Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/skynews Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skynews Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skynews Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skynews For more content go to http://news.sky.com and download our apps: Apple https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sky-news/id316391924?mt=8 Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bskyb.skynews.android&hl=en_GB Listen to our new podcast This is Why, available for free here: https://podfollow.com/thisiswhy To enquire about licensing Sky News content, you can find more information here: https://news.sky.com/info/library-sales