01:15Japan: Hundreds pay respects in Hiroshima on 70th anniversary of atomic bombing
Hundreds of people gathered in Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, Thursday, to pay their respects to the victims of the US atomic bombing which took place exactly 70 years ago.
Earlier in the day a memorial service was held in the peace park, situated in front of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, which is also known as the Atomic Bomb Dome. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was one of several government officials to attend the service.
At least 60,000 people were killed in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and a further 40,000 were killed in Nagasaki three days later on August 9, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on both Japanese cities. Aside from the victims who died immediately in the attacks, tens of thousands of people suffered long-term effects as a result of the nuclear explosions, many of whom died from exposure in the following months. By the end of 1945 the total death in Hiroshima alone was estimated at 140,000. The twin bombings were the first and last time nuclear weapons were used in a war.
01:15Hundreds of people gathered in Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, Thursday, to pay their respects to the victims of the US atomic bombing which took place exactly 70 years ago.
Earlier in the day a memorial service was held in the peace park, situated in front of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, which is also known as the Atomic Bomb Dome. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was one of several government officials to attend the service.
At least 60,000 people were killed in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and a further 40,000 were killed in Nagasaki three days later on August 9, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on both Japanese cities. Aside from the victims who died immediately in the attacks, tens of thousands of people suffered long-term effects as a result of the nuclear explosions, many of whom died from exposure in the following months. By the end of 1945 the total death in Hiroshima alone was estimated at 140,000. The twin bombings were the first and last time nuclear weapons were used in a war.