Plus the Soviets did not put containment domes over their reactors like the one in Chernobal. So, when it melted down the cloud of radio active steam was vented into the atmosphere.
The Seabrook, NH plant built in the 1980s has a 6’ thick rebar reinforced dome over the reactor. My former neighbor helped build it. He said it was designed to withstand a direct impact of a 747.
Of course, a PR program was layed on us at the swank visitor's center. One of the things shown was a professional film on fuel rod transport via the highway systems. The highlight for us was in the clip of a fuel rod transport container test simulating a stalled semi with the trailer stopped on railroad tracks. Along comes a train at let’er rip speed into the trailer. Major crunch. Glorious crash. But, the containers are unharmed!
Our group broke out in cheers for the crash…. Roll it again! The PR folks appeared stunned at the reaction. Was fun day!
In context…. We all worked with things that had the potential to go big to really big boom. Design, testing, training, maintenance, operations, safety, etc. were all very familiar to us. Subject matter experts in our individual niches and broad based generally. Frankly, the PR folks were kind of clueless for many if not most of our questions, etc. through the day. The kinds of things we had questions and comments on were largely out of their league.