Jan 10 Vienna. Cases of thyroid cancer among children in the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia have risen 200% [sic] since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. The IAEA, citing data from the WHO, said that in 1995 680 cases were reported. This marked a rise of more than 200% since the Chernobyl accident when a nuclear plant exploded, contaminating a large area of Europe. The IAEA says 10 children have died from the illness. [Thyroid cancer is a relatively rare form and incidence rates in other countries run from 1 to 10 pa per 100K pop'n. While an increase from c340 to 680 is statistically significant (the statistical variation would be expected to fall within 320 to 360) "critics" of the Chernobyl link say it is a matter of significantly increased reporting and awareness].