24 years ago today the Chernobyl nuclear disaster sent a radioactive cloud over Europe. But as countries struggle to meet CO2 emission reduction targets, nuclear power is making somewhat of a comeback. Last year Belgium decided to extend the operation of its three newest nuclear power plants by ten years. And while the German government contemplates a similar move, over one hundred thousand protesters took to the streets on Saturday to voice their opposition. Cinnamon Nippard has more from Berlin.

Around 120 thousand people formed a 75-mile human chain between two nuclear power plants in the north of Germany on Saturday, making it the largest anti-nuclear demonstration in the country to date. The human chain stretched from the Brunsbüttel nuclear power plant at the mouth of the river Elbe, down past Hamburg to the Krümmel nuclear plant. Both facilities have been plagued by frequent accidents in recent years. Anti-nuclear demonstrators are angry about the centre-right government's intention to extend the life of its 17 nuclear power plants. Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to revoke the nuclear phase-out law where all nuclear plants would be shut down by 2020. Tina Löffelsend from Friends of the Earth Germany says that the massive turn-out of people on Saturday sends a clear message to the government.

"I think they can hardly ignore this public protest. And even those that are pro nuclear energy certainly heard this very loud voice of the movement. I do believe it has an impact and this will certainly not be the last protest we will stage against nuclear this year."

The German government intends to finalize its national energy plan in October. Cinnamon Nippard, FSRN, Berlin.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0426/chernobyl.html