This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33792789
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hiroshima marks 70 years since atomic bomb | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Residents in the Japanese city of Hiroshima are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the first atomic bomb being dropped by a US aircraft. | |
A ceremony, attended by PM Shinzo Abe, is being held at Hiroshima's memorial park before thousands of lanterns are released on the city's Motoyasu river. | |
The bombing - and a second one on Nagasaki three days later - is credited with bringing to an end World War Two. | The bombing - and a second one on Nagasaki three days later - is credited with bringing to an end World War Two. |
But it also claimed the lives of at least 140,000 people in the city. | But it also claimed the lives of at least 140,000 people in the city. |
A US B-29 bomber called the Enola Gay dropped the uranium bomb, exploding some 600m (1,800ft) above the city, at around 08:10 on 6 August 1945. | A US B-29 bomber called the Enola Gay dropped the uranium bomb, exploding some 600m (1,800ft) above the city, at around 08:10 on 6 August 1945. |
On that day alone, at least 70,000 people are believed to have been killed. Many more died of horrific injuries caused by radiation poisoning in the days, weeks and months that followed. | On that day alone, at least 70,000 people are believed to have been killed. Many more died of horrific injuries caused by radiation poisoning in the days, weeks and months that followed. |
Ceremonies began in Hiroshima on Wednesday, with a procession by Buddhist monks and local residents, and a "die-in" by children in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few structures left standing so close to the blast's epicentre. | Ceremonies began in Hiroshima on Wednesday, with a procession by Buddhist monks and local residents, and a "die-in" by children in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few structures left standing so close to the blast's epicentre. |
PM Shinzo Abe and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matusi are being joined by US Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy for the official ceremony of remembrance on Thursday, which will include silent prayers, the release of doves and a declaration of peace. | |
Later in the day, thousands of paper lanterns will be released on the city's Motoyasu River - symbolising the journey to the afterlife of those who died. | Later in the day, thousands of paper lanterns will be released on the city's Motoyasu River - symbolising the journey to the afterlife of those who died. |
The 'sanitised narrative' of Hiroshima's atomic bombing | The 'sanitised narrative' of Hiroshima's atomic bombing |