When you hear the words "nuclear disaster," you probably think of Chernobyl and understandably so.

That 1986 explosion killed dozens of people, polluted 1,000 square miles with radioactivIty, and reached a level seven on the International Nuclear Event Scale, (the highest level). Fukashima also hit level seven.

In 2011, the Tōhoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami resulted in a total electrical grid failure, rendering the nuclear plant's reactors unable to effectively cool themselves. Soon, radioactive contaminants leaked into the air, prompting a full evacuation of 164,000 citizens. 

Radiation burns are the worst documented injury from the nuclear accident itself, but the chaotic and disorganized evacuations resulted in up to 51 deaths, mainly of sick and elderly removed from nearby hospitals. 

Fortunately no lasting radioactive contamination remains, (the evacuations probably weren't needed), and you can tour the facility if you so please. 

Here's what the scene looked like before and after.