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Why was reactor four two years overdue a critical safety test? What happened in the seconds and minutes leading up to the explosion? Who was the first victim of the Chernobyl disaster?

David Olusoga and Sarah Churchwell recall the fateful events leading up to the meltdown in reactor four on the night of the 26th April 1986.

Email: journeythroughtime@goalhanger.com

X: @ThroughTimePod

Blue Sky: @ThroughTimePod

Instagram: @JourneyThroughTimePod

Social Producer: Emma Jackson

Assistant Producers: Alfie Rowe, Alfie Norris

Producer: Alice Horrell

Head of History: Dom Johnson

Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

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69. Chernobyl: The Countdown To Catastrophe (Ep 2)