Shocking photos reveal the devastation left in Chernobyl following the nuclear catastrophe - transforming a once bustling place into a ghost town.

Pripyat was once a city full of live with a population of around 49,400 going about their daily lives - but that all came to a screeching halt on April 27, 1986.

On that fateful day one of the reactors at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded and all humans nearby were evacuated to avoid extreme levels of radiation.

It was one of only two nuclear incidents to be rated a maximum severe of seven on the International Nuclear Events Scale, with the radioactive isotopes spreading to Sweden, Finland and other parts of Europe.

Images comparing the once busy city have now emerged showing the stark contrast following the aftermath of the devastating catastrophe.

Eeeri before and after photographs showing Pripyat before and after the Chernobyl disaster showcase how the once busy city became a dilapidated ghost town (pictured the Pripyat amusement park before and after Chernobyl)

The bus station in the city was once filled with commuters venturing on their travels  (left: before) - but now it lies unused and lifeless, hidden behind spikey barbed-wire and a flurry of trees (right: after)

The abandoned amusement park is perhaps amongst the most eerie and prolific images of ghostly Pripyat.

The Ferris wheel which was likely enjoyed by parents and children alike has now stood unused and slowly decaying since 1986.

Previous snaps of the Universal store - located near the rivers port - show the building underneath a blanket of snow, whilst high storey building tower behind.

In the present day, the property is now hidden amongst a sea of unruly trees.

Appearing to be rusting away, the dilapidated Universal store has sat lifeless and empty for over three decades. 

The city's bus station which was once filled with commuters embarking on journeys around the Pripyat is barely recognisable.

Now locked away behind pointy barbed-wired fences  and abundance of trees, it is difficult to even catch a glimpse of the transport hub.

Although Pripyat has no inhabitants and sits in the Vyshhorod region, it has been instated as a city of regional significant.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine also supervises the deserted ghost town.

The Universal store located near the port of the river has stood rusting away for over three decades (picture left to right: before and after)

Even though Pripyat has no inhabitants following the aftermath of Chernobal, it has been instated as a city of regional significance (pictured: a building located in Pripyat)

These ghostly images have emerge shortly after mutant wolves roman the wasteland developed a new superpower which could have life-saving implications for humans.

A team of researchers found the animals in the Chernobyl Evacuation Zone (CEZ) have genetically altered immune systems that show a resilience to cancer.

These findings gave researchers hope that the results can be used to find cures for human cancer patients.

The absence of humans in the area allowed wildlife to flourish and thrive in the CEZ, which contains 11.28 millirem of radiation – six times the allowed exposure amount for human workers.