Humans suck! :-) This was a doozy, I have seen several documentaries on Chernobyl, some noting the "top-notch" training and equipment.
It is amazing though how they built an entire city around the reactor and radar installation to house the workers and their families including the amusement park in Pripyat, parks, recreation centers, etc.
Yes, that is krazy but not unheard of, I too have watched several documentaries about it(that's a hobby?!?! of mine). I most recently watch one that talked about all kids born after Chernobyl that were released to orphanages had to be put into institutions by the age of 5 they couldn't be adopted out or kept at the orphanages. Talk about screwed up.