The recently released mini-series Chernobyl has reignited fascination with the infamous Ukrainian disaster zone.

Some people deal with their curiosity respectfully – like this photographer who captured images of Pripyat, the area closest to the nuclear plant that exploded forcing a region-wide evacuation, and sending radioactive fallout cascading across Europe.

Then there are the vultures of social media – influencers – who would sell their own mothers to get a few more clicks. If an Instagrammable spot is getting attention, the attention seekers will flock there.

Here’s The Guardian:

The writer of the acclaimed HBO drama series Chernobyl has spoken out about the proliferation of lewd and inappropriate selfies taken by tourists visiting the nuclear disaster site in Ukraine.

Since the five-part miniseries about the 1986 catastrophe at the former Soviet Union power plant began airing in May, tourism at the site has reportedly increased by 30–40%. Social media influencers visiting the site have been subject to criticism in recent days for using renewed interest in the disaster to stage glamour shots for their Instagram accounts.

Posts from the plant on social media include one showing a woman with a hazmat suit undone to reveal a G-string, people looking #humbled while standing in abandoned buildings, and so on.

She’s probably never had a deep thought in her life, but that won’t stop her from contemplating the hell out of that Ferris wheel:

They reckon no fewer than 95 000 people died as a result of the initial blast, radiation poisoning, and the after-effects of nuclear fallout, making this the perfect place for a sexy glamour shot, according to @nz.nik over here:

She’s also the one in the G-string shot.

Oh no! Did I stumble into a nuclear zone? Silly old me:

Then there’s the mandatory post about meeting the locals, complete with ‘prayer hands’ emoji. #Blessed.

Can you feel it, Julia? Can you really?

Julia has since deleted the above post, and gone back to posting bikini pics.

“It’s wonderful that #ChernobylHBO has inspired a wave of tourism to the Zone of Exclusion,” screenwriter Craig Mazin tweeted on Wednesday morning. “But yes, I’ve seen the photos going around.

“If you visit, please remember that a terrible tragedy occurred there. Comport yourselves with respect for all who suffered and sacrificed.”

A little respect goes a long way.

[source:guardian]