Bridge of Death in Chernobyl

Bridge of Death in Chernobyl zone is one of the most legendary places there. It is said that soon after the explosion people from Pripyat came to the bridge to watch the fire. Radioactive particles were blown by the wind and affected people severely. People who walked on Bridge of Death that night thought to be dead short after that. However, the myths around this bridge went far beyond the true story.  

Bridge of Death and Radiation

Right after the accident the level of radiation on the bridge went up to 5,000,000 μSv/hour or 5 Sv/hour. Normal atmospheric level goes up to 0.3 μSv/hour. Lethal amount of radiation can be absorbed with the level of 6-7 Sv/hour. As long as the wind continued to blow off the particles, the level of radiation continued to climb. Even after cleaning up process (which was made regularly there) the bridge remained contaminated.

How Far is the Bridge from Chernobyl?

The road over the railway leads from Kopachi village to the city of Pripyat. Chernobyl town is approximately 10 km away from the bridge. The nearest settlement is Prypiat. Basically, it is the entrance to the city. The distance between the bridge and the power plant is a couple of kilometers. Chernobyl Bridge of Death attracted victims: the proximity to the city and the power plant and the fact that the exploded unit is the closest to the bridge are the main arguments to prove that curious people definitely came there.

Chernobyl Bridge of Death and the Reality

The accident took place at 1.23 a.m. when the city was sleeping peacefully. There were no destroyed buildings and broken windows caused by the explosion. Basically, only the power plant personnel, firefighters and their families knew that something happened. The rest of the population was unaware till the morning. Nobody came to the bridge at night neither during the day. So, there is no answer to the question how many people died on the Bridge of Death.

Measuring levels of radiation in the city started in the early morning. It was known that the bridge is highly radioactive, so there were two police patrols on the both sides on the bridge. Only the vehicles were allowed to drive there, but nobody could walk.

The only fact that allows us to call the bridge like this is the evacuation of population from Pripyat. More than 1,000 buses carried evacuees from the city and all of them crossed the bridge. However, crossing Chernobyl Bridge of Death takes less than a minute which is not enough to affect people lethally.

One more version of the origin of the Bridge of Death’s name

There is a theory that the bridge received its name even before the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. It was called the “Bridge of Death” due to frequent traffic accidents. It was the most dangerous place in the city for motorists, due to a bad stretch of road (a sharp rise on the entrance to Pripyat, where oncoming traffic is poorly visible). The frequent accidents were the reason the bridge got such a name.

Chernobyl Bridge of Death FAQ

What is the “Bridge of Death” in Chernobyl?

The “Bridge of Death” is a railway bridge in Pripyat that got its ominous name due to the high radiation levels that were present on the bridge following the Chernobyl disaster. It’s reported that residents gathered there to watch the disaster unfold, unaware of the danger.

Is it true that people who stood on the bridge during the disaster all died?

While it’s known that high levels of radiation were present on the bridge following the disaster, reports about everyone on the bridge dying are not verified. Many of those exposed to high radiation levels did suffer from health problems, however.

Is it safe to visit the “Bridge of Death” now?

Yes, it is safe to visit the “Bridge of Death” today. While there are still areas of the Exclusion Zone with higher levels of radiation, the bridge itself is safe for short visits under the guidance of a tour guide.

Do I need any special equipment to visit the “Bridge of Death”?

No special equipment is necessary, but it’s recommended to follow safety guidelines, including wearing long-sleeved clothing, closed-toe shoes, and following the instructions of your tour guide.

You can see the Bridge of Death with your own eyes with our exclusive Chernobyl tours.