Ebeye has a population of more than 15,000 . In 2008 , the population was 12,000 . In 1968 , the population was 3,000 . Some of the residents of Ebeye are refugees or descendants of refugees from the effects of the 15-megaton Castle Bravo nuclear test at Bikini Atoll on 1 March 1954 . The detonation unexpectedly rained nuclear fallout and two inches ( 50 mm ) of radioactive snow on nearby Rongelap Atoll , which had not been evacuated as had Bikini . The 1954 American authorities then evacuated Rongelap and were returned in 1957 with extensive medical surveillance . In 1985 , Greenpeace evacuated the inhabitants of Rongelap to Mejato ( island in Kwajalein atoll ) . Ebeye was the final destination for many of them
Castle Bravo
Castle Bravo
Ebeye Island