Chernobyl accident's victims commemorated in Moldovan capital

Chisinau, 26 April /MOLDPRES/ - The Chernobyl Union of Moldova public association organised more events to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident in Chisinau today.

Today morning, the participants in the events laid flowers at the monument to Stefan cel Mare. Afterwards, they made a memory march to the foundation stone of a sculpture compound dedicated to the victims of the Chernobyl disaster on Trandafirilor Street in Chisinau, where a rally was organised.    

Attending the event were Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Brega, Defence Minister Anatol Salaru, Metropolitan of Chisinau and All Moldova, Most Right Reverend Vladimir, Ukrainian Ambassador to Moldova Ivan Gnatishin, Ambassador of Belarus to Moldova Sergey Chichuk, other officials.    

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Brega said, inter alia, that Moldovans’ participation in the Chernobyl accident relief works recorded a page of courage and sacrifice in the history of Moldova.   

The official reviewed the main actions undertaken by the government to help participants in the tragic events, invalids and relatives of the dead. Thus, starting from 1 April, their pensions grew by 10.1 per cent, and a block with 80 flats will be made available for them to live in 2017.

The head of the Chernobyl Union of Moldova public association, Tudor Capatina, in his speech,  thanked the government and Chisinau city hall for the assistance provided to the participants in the Chernobyl disaster relief works, who need special food against radiation, medicines, etc.

Statistic data shows that 3,500 Moldovan citizens took part in the Chernobyl accident relief works, of whom 1,003 died. Most of the ones who survived are first and second degree invalids.   

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster took place on 26 April 1986. It is regarded as the most serious accident in the nuclear energy’s history.   

(Reporter N. Roibu, editor M. Jantovan)