There have been several notable nuclear energy accidents. Three Mile Island (1979) [local], in Pennsylvania, involved a series of equipment failures. The reactor was contained, however.

Chernobyl [local]

Chernobyl (1986) [local] was a far more serious situation in terms of what happened: the extent of the problem, the fundamental design issues, and the consequences. The nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl on April 26, 1986 is considered by many to be the largest open-air radiation experiment [local].

By comparison with problems in generating energy from nuclear resources, thousands of persons have died of injuries related to coal burning energy plant, and/or coal mining. Mine deaths. [local] 19th Century mining hazards [local]. Coal Mine Museum Exhibit [local]. As noted earlier, coal burning usually releases radioactive materials into the environnment (from escaping fly ash).