Gomel (pronounce /ˈɡoʊmel/), also Homel, Homiel or Homyel (Belarusian: Гомель, IPA: [ˈɣomʲelʲ], translit: Hómiel'; Russian: Гомель, IPA: [ˈɡomʲilʲ], translit: Gómiľ), is the administrative center of Homiel Voblast and the second-largest city in Belarus. It has a population of 479,935 (2006 estimate). Homel is situated in the southeastern part of the country, on the right bank of Sozh river, close to the border with Ukraine, in close proximity to Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Although it has been heavily contaminated with radioactive debris following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, residents were never evacuated from Homel and general population continued to grow. The city is serviced by Gomel Airport.