Chernobyl, the site of the worst nuclear disaster in history, continues to intrigue visitors decades after the catastrophic explosion of reactor number four in 1986.
The disaster, which killed around 30 people in its immediate aftermath and has since led to countless long-term radiation-related deaths, left behind some of the most dangerous and radioactive objects on Earth — and some tourists are getting far too close to them.
One such object that has gained attention recently is a large piece of crane machinery known as "The Claw".
Used in the aftermath of the disaster to clear radioactive debris, this piece of machinery, often referred to as “The Claw of Death,” remains one of the most hazardous relics of the Chernobyl cleanup.
Left deep in a forest clearing near the exclusion zone, it was discovered in 2019 by Australian archaeologist Robert Maxwell during a private tour of the area, per News.com.au.
Maxwell, the only archaeologist known to have worked at Chernobyl during field excursions, found the piece of machinery emitting dangerously high levels of radiation.
"There are many things in the zone today for which contact for any prolonged period will definitely kill you, and the Claw is definitely the most dangerous of all because it’s not roped off or inaccessible like other hazards," Maxwell explained.
"It’s essentially just sitting in a forest clearing for the rest of time. It’s severely potentially lethal."
During his encounter, Maxwell dared to place his hand inside the claw to take a Geiger counter reading.
"Every time I took a photo it was between digits, so I kept getting a blank screen," he recalled.
Eventually, the counter registered a staggering reading of 39.80 microsieverts per hour (uSv/h).
To put this in perspective, this amount of exposure could cause serious radiation sickness over time. The claw is estimated to release about 950 microsieverts of radiation daily — enough to pose an extreme risk to anyone who dares come too close for too long.
Though "The Claw" sits outside the 30km exclusion zone, where most tourists are allowed to visit, it remains a stark reminder of Chernobyl's deadly legacy.
Maxwell, who strongly advises against visiting the area, warned: "There’s a very good reason why it is kept in a secluded part of the nearby forest." For those seeking a glimpse of this notorious object, it’s a no-go.
Yet, despite the extreme dangers in the region, some visitors still find ways to get close to hazardous relics.
One particularly infamous incident involved two women who posed for a photo with the radioactive object. Though the women likely didn’t spend enough time next to it to cause long-term harm, the photo — resurfacing recently online — stirred considerable concern.
According to Redditors, the radiation exposure from a brief encounter with the claw might result in just a few microsieverts of radiation.
For comparison, a chest X-ray typically exposes a person to 0.1 millisieverts (mSv), or 100 microsieverts.
As one Reddit user pointed out: “Less than 20 minutes next to the claw, which emits just 0.3mSv/hour, would be the equivalent amount of exposure.”
However, others quickly pointed out the dangers of handling such objects, which are coated with radioactive dust. "The reason this thing is radioactive is that it's coated with radioactive dust and dirt. Things that might cling to the skin and clothes of whoever touches them and continue emitting radiation for a long time, and possibly ingested," one user wrote.
Another commented: “It’s the most radioactive thing in the exclusion zone accessible to visitors.”
Perhaps it's best to steer clear of this one.