75 years of nuclear bombing and the fear still looms
A few days ago, a court in the city of Hiroshima accepted the petition of the survivors of “black rain” who proved that they suffered medical conditions caused by the atomic post-explosion rain. Now they are eligible to avail benefits, including free medical care, being given to survivors of the blasts who are known as “Hibakushas”.
The dark month of August
On August 6, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, and three days later, on August 9, it dropped another bomb on Nagasaki, killing hundreds of thousands of people. Not just people were killed, thousands were injured and many more continued to suffer the effects of the radiation from the blast and the “black rain” that fell in the aftermath of the explosions.
An impenetrable cloud of dust and smoke was formed after the bomb was dropped and that picture still haunts the Japanese and the world.
Why was the bomb dropped?
After the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the relations between Japan and the US worsened, especially after Japan forces decided to take an aim at Indochina with the intention of capturing the oil-rich areas of the East Indies. Therefore, US president Harry Truman authorised the use of atomic bombs in order to make Japan surrender in WWII, which it did.
The US also wanted to make an impact on its power on the world and hence decided to bomb cities as it would have gained more attention.
Little Boy and Fat Man
On the morning of August 6, a B-29 bomber dropped the atomic bomb called “Little Boy” on the city of Hiroshima, when most of the industrial workers had already reported to work, many were en route and children were in school. The US said that the bomb killed over 80,000 people and injured as many.
Three days later, another atomic bomb called “Fat Man” was dropped over Nagasaki killing more than 40,000 people.
Rate Now