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| More than 200.000 civilians massacred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki |
It
killed around 140,000 people in the Japanese city by the end of 1945.
The only structure left standing on ground zero is now known as the
Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome.
Now recognised by UNESCO as “a stark and powerful symbol of the most destructive force ever created by humankind”, it has been transformed into a peace memorial.
During World War II, the building was used to house government offices.
Kimie Mihara, now aged 89 and a great-grandmother, worked there as a teenager.
“I survived because I was late for work,” she said.
“So I felt lucky because I was not here at the time but when I think of those who died because they were diligent and on time, I am just so sorry for them.”
Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped by the US on the city of Nagasaki bringing the total number of people killed to over 200.000 people, and on August 15, Japan surrendered.
Their ranks dwindling, survivors continue to suffer the after-effects of radiation. Some find it too painful to talk about their experiences.
Others do speak out, so that the world will never forget.
Now recognised by UNESCO as “a stark and powerful symbol of the most destructive force ever created by humankind”, it has been transformed into a peace memorial.
During World War II, the building was used to house government offices.
Kimie Mihara, now aged 89 and a great-grandmother, worked there as a teenager.
“I survived because I was late for work,” she said.
“So I felt lucky because I was not here at the time but when I think of those who died because they were diligent and on time, I am just so sorry for them.”
Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped by the US on the city of Nagasaki bringing the total number of people killed to over 200.000 people, and on August 15, Japan surrendered.
Their ranks dwindling, survivors continue to suffer the after-effects of radiation. Some find it too painful to talk about their experiences.
Others do speak out, so that the world will never forget.
Read more: Hiroshima Genocide: 70 years on: Survivors remember horror of nuclear bomb | euronews, world news
