People streamed into the central square of Slavutych in the early hours of Sunday, placing candles on a large radiation hazard symbol laid out on the ground as a midnight commemoration began for those killed in the Chernobyl disaster 40 years ago and the thousands who risked deadly radiation exposure to contain its aftermath.

These 20 pictures capture the aftermath of the infamous 1986 Chernobyl incident—effects that are, in some cases, still felt today.

It's 40 years since the Chernobyl disaster. This is what it has meant for wildlife living around the devastated nuclear power plant.

"Dogs at Chernobyl are now genetically distinct … thanks to years of exposure to ionizing radiation, study finds."

Tributes have been paid to those who risked their lives tackling the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident in 1986, with a fundraising process launched for ongoing safety work at an international conference held at the plant.

A huge armada of vehicles were used to clean-up the radioactive aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster 40 years ago. Many of them still lie rusting inside the exclusion zone.

The nuclear incident at Chernobyl spread radiation across Europe and led to political changes that played a role in the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Leo said the Chernobyl disaster “serves as a warning regarding the inherent risks of using increasingly powerful technologies.”

Once classified files from East Germany reveal the extent of Soviet actions to hide the true extent of catastrophe.