How many people died in the Chernobyl nuclear disaster?

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which occurred on April 26, 1986, resulted in immediate deaths of 31 emergency workers and plant staff due to acute radiation sickness. Long-term estimates of fatalities due to radiation exposure vary widely, with the World Health Organization suggesting that up to 4,000 additional deaths could occur among the higher-exposed groups. Other assessments, including those by Greenpeace, suggest that the eventual death toll could be much higher, potentially reaching tens of thousands. Overall, the exact number of deaths remains a subject of debate and varies depending on the methods used for estimation.