1986年4月26日、メルトダウンした後爆発したウクライナ北部のチェルノブイリ原発4号炉の原子炉を覆うために造られた、放射性廃棄物を封印する巨大なシェルターを移動させる作業が始まった。
建造に10年近くの歳月を要したこのシェルターは、今後およそ100年間にわたって原子炉と石棺を密封する。
輸送機を使ったシェルター移動作業は約1週間かかると見込まれている。巨大シェルターは、老朽化した原子炉を覆うように、油圧ジャッキを使ってゆっくりと移動させる。
幅257m、高さ108mのこのシェルターは、人類によって造られた移動可能な地上建造物としては史上最大とみられる。
このプロジェクトを主導する欧州復興開発銀行（EBRD）によると、シェルターの総費用はおよそ13億ポンド（約1765億円）にのぼるという。
原子炉の真上は未だに放射線レベルが非常に高いため、「ニュー・セーフティー・コンテインメント」と呼ばれる巨大殻を原子炉から離れたところで建造した。
このシェルターが設置されることで、損壊した内側の建造物の解体と、建造物内の放射線物質を除去する試みがようやく始まる
1986年のチェルノブイリ原発事故は、今も人類史上最悪の原発事故として記憶に残る。この事故でロシアとヨーロッパの広域に放射性物質が飛散し、10万人以上の人々が避難。近郊のプリピャチ市は無人の街となった。
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チェルノブイリ原発
UKRAINE-CHERNOBYL/(01 of16)
A general view shows the construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukraine, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (credit:Gleb Garanich / Reuters)
UKRAINE-CHERNOBYL/(02 of16)
A general view shows the construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukraine, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (credit:Gleb Garanich / Reuters)
UKRAINE-CHERNOBYL/(03 of16)
A general view shows the construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukraine, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (credit:Gleb Garanich / Reuters)
Ukraine Chernobyl(04 of16)
In this Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 photo an arch-shaped shelter, in Chernobyl, Ukraine. A gargantuan arch-shaped shelter has begun creeping toward the exploded Chernobyl nuclear reactor, in what represents a significant step toward liquidating the remains of the world\'s worst nuclear accident. (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development via AP) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ukraine Chernobyl(05 of16)
In this Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 photo an arch-shaped shelter is photographed, in Chernobyl, Ukraine. A gargantuan arch-shaped shelter has begun creeping toward the exploded Chernobyl nuclear reactor, in what represents a significant step toward liquidating the remains of the world\'s worst nuclear accident. (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development photo via AP) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
CHERNOBYL-ANNIVERSARY/(06 of16)
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko delivers a speech during a commemoration ceremony on the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, with a sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor seen in the background, at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Chernobyl, Ukraine, April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY (credit:Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters)
CHERNOBYL-ANNIVERSARY/(07 of16)
Exterior view shows the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure, with the sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor seen in the background, at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine, April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko (credit:Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters)
Ukraine Chernobyl Anniversary(08 of16)
Ukraine\'s President Petro Poroshenko, backdropped by Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 26, 2016, gives a speech to mark the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. Ukraine on Tuesday marked the 30th anniversary of the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, the world\'s worst nuclear accident. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ukraine Chernobyl Anniversary(09 of16)
Workers build an arch-shape confinement that will be moved on rails over the sarcophagus and reactor building at Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Ukraine on Tuesday marked the 30th anniversary of the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, the world\'s worst nuclear accident. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
30th anniversary of Chernobyl nuclear disaster(10 of16)
CHERNOBYL, UKRAINE - APRIL 27: A view from Reactor 4 at Chernobyl Nuclear power plant Zone is seen during the 30th anniversary of Chernobyl nuclear disasterin Chernobyl, Ukraine on April 27, 2016. The Chernobyl accident occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Pripyat. (Photo by G��khan Balc/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
UKRAINE-CHERNOBYL/(11 of16)
A general view shows the construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure (R) at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor (L), Ukraine, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (credit:Gleb Garanich / Reuters)
UKRAINE-CHERNOBYL/(12 of16)
A general view shows the construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukraine, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (credit:Gleb Garanich / Reuters)
UKRAINE-CHERNOBYL/(13 of16)
A general view shows the construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukraine, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (credit:Gleb Garanich / Reuters)
UKRAINE-CHERNOBYL/(14 of16)
A general view shows the construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukraine, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (credit:Gleb Garanich / Reuters)
UKRAINE-CHERNOBYL/(15 of16)
Workers are seen near the dry spent nuclear fuel storage (ISF-2) under construction at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukraine, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (credit:Gleb Garanich / Reuters)
UKRAINE-CHERNOBYL/(16 of16)
Workers are seen near the dry spent nuclear fuel storage (ISF-2) under construction at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukraine, March 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (credit:Gleb Garanich / Reuters)
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