Some social media users became hysterical after hearing news of radiation levels spiking to 16 times above normal in Chernobyl, the site of the world’s largest nuclear power plant disaster. The rise occurred due to massive forest fires which started in the Chernobyl exclusion zone last weekend. The blaze has engulfed at least 35 hectares of forest.
Experts say that, as a result of fires, radioactive elements in soil and plants were released into the atmosphere and carried by the wind. Ukrainian officials sought calm by noting that the situation is under control, but it seems that, for netizens, it was too late, as panic mode was activated on social media...
Some users started predicting what other calamities could befall humanity in 2020.
One user made a disaster calendar.
One user stood up and spoke out for the entire population: "Can we get a f**king break?"
Despite the alarming news, some users did not lose their sense of humour.
Some joked that fires in Chernobyl dwarfed the coronavirus epidemic.
Others honed their meme skills.