Hiroshima 70 years on: Survivors remember horror of nuclear bomb
euronews (in English)
2015-08-05
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Thursday marks 70 years since the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
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 on the city of Nagasaki and on August 15, Japan surrendered.
Their ranks dwindling, survivors continue to suffer the after-effects of radiation. Some find it too painful to
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 on the city of Nagasaki and on August 15, Japan surrendered.
Their ranks dwindling, survivors continue to suffer the after-effects of radiation. Some find it too painful to
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