Moldovan officials, persons who took part in the Chernobyl cleanup, their relatives and volunteers laid flowers at the monument in memory of the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Chisinau on April 27, on the occasion of 27 years of the catastrophe, IPN reports.

“More than 3,500 Moldovans were sent to Chernobyl. 700 of them died, while the rest are invalids. For us this day is a day of sacrifice and respect for the participants in the disaster cleanup,” said interim Prime Minister Iurie Leanca. According to the official, lump sums of 500 lei will be given to the participants and the families of those who died.

State consultant Mihail Shleahtitski read a message of commemoration on the part of President Nicolae Timofti. The message said that the consequences of the catastrophe continue to be felt, but would have been much more disastrous if these people hadn’t become involved.

The head of “Chernobyl” Association Tudor Capatana said that the people who took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the catastrophe saved the mankind. “These soldiers saved half of Europe from the disaster. We struggled for other people to be able to live on this land. Each fourth participant died, while the rest sustain the consequences,” he stated.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Moldova Serhii Pyrozhkov said that Ukraine thanks the participants in the Chernobyl cleanup and will do its utmost to prevent such accidents in the future.

Metropolitan Bishop Vladimir blessed the church situated in front of the monument to the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. “The church was erected and blessed. Yu have now your church. Pray here,” he urged.

Two explosions happened at the Chernobyl power plant on April 26, 1986, which generated a global nuclear catastrophe.