Truth behind eerie image of tourists sitting in 'most radioactive thing' in Chernobyl exclusion zone

The truth about a chilling photo showing two women sitting on 'one of the most radioactive things in the world' was revealed.

The shocking image shows two women who paid a visit to the Chernobyl exclusion zone a number of years ago.

But after the pair decided to get up close with the radioactive object, a large claw from a digger, started to resurface online, concerns were raised about the potential risks.

The pair were seen smiling as they crouched down in between the excavator thumbs of the machinery.

The nuclear power plant infamously exploded following the explosion of reaction number four, rendering the area uninhabitable. There were dozens of direct casualties and thousands more health complications which stemmed from the disaster.

The tourists thought it'd be a bright idea to make contact with the radioactive claw (Reddit)

Tourists were previously able to visit the area under the guidance of a certified guide, just decades on from the horrific accident which took place at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat, Ukraine. However, the war between Russia and Ukraine has meant that this can no longer happen. Tensions have further grown due to escalating and large-scale drone operations.

There remain fears surrounding the 1986 explosion, and that recent military threats that could trigger another major radioactive release from the site.

Radioactive 'digger claw'

While the Elephant's Foot is the single most dangerous and radioactive object in the world, it is confined within the walls of the nuclear power station, under the 'New Safe Confinement' placed around it.

Another dangerous and infamous item left over from the disaster is a large claw from a digger, which was initially used to clear radioactive material from the remains of reactor number four.

But this didn't stop a pair of tourists from getting on the claw itself, making contact with the radioactive material. If it needs to be said, please do not try this yourselves.

It's said that they likely didn't spend enough time next to it to suffer from any long-term health effects, as Radiation Answers says that a few minutes near the claw would only result in the pair absorbing a few microsieverts of radiation.

People reacted to the image on Reddit, though, as one explained that while a chest x-ray is equivalent to 0.1mSv, less than 20 minutes next to the claw, which emits just 0.3mSv/hour, would be the equivalent amount of exposure.

The Elephant's Foot has been cut off from the public for good due to its radioactivity levels (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

"Big deal? Nope. Would I needlessly get up close and personal with this junk? Also nope," they added, while another wrote: "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."

A third added: "It’s the most radioactive thing in the exclusion zone accessible to visitors."

This is child's play compared to the Elephant's Foot, though, as 30 unprotected seconds of exposure could cost you your life.

It will cause fatigue and dizziness, before your cells start to haemorrhage and cause you to start vomiting and experiencing diarrhoea, along with a fever.

Despite being around for 40 years, the item emits heat and reminds us of the disaster that is Chernobyl, as 31 people died from radiation sickness and injuries, and long-term effects of radiation exposure caused more deaths.

The Chernobyl disaster remains the most destructive nuclear disasters and the most expensive disaster in history, with an estimated cost of $700 billion.

It occurred during a test to simulate the cooling of the reactor during a serious accident in blackout conditions.