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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-50805052
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Hiroshima buildings that survived atomic bomb to be demolished | Hiroshima buildings that survived atomic bomb to be demolished |
(32 minutes later) | |
The Japanese city of Hiroshima plans to knock down two buildings that survived the 1945 atomic bomb - but some locals want them preserved as landmarks. | The Japanese city of Hiroshima plans to knock down two buildings that survived the 1945 atomic bomb - but some locals want them preserved as landmarks. |
The two blocks - built in 1913 - were first used as a military clothing factory, and later as university student accommodation. | The two blocks - built in 1913 - were first used as a military clothing factory, and later as university student accommodation. |
They were also used as a makeshift hospital after the bomb itself. | They were also used as a makeshift hospital after the bomb itself. |
"They could be used as facilities toward (promoting) the abolition of nuclear weapons," said one survivor. | "They could be used as facilities toward (promoting) the abolition of nuclear weapons," said one survivor. |
Around 80,000 people were killed as a direct result of the bomb, and another 35,000 were injured. | Around 80,000 people were killed as a direct result of the bomb, and another 35,000 were injured. |
The attack flattened most of the city, and - as of last year - only 85 buildings built before the bomb remained within five kilometres of "ground zero". | The attack flattened most of the city, and - as of last year - only 85 buildings built before the bomb remained within five kilometres of "ground zero". |
The blocks survived, at least partly because they were made from reinforced concrete. Some bomb damage to the metal windows and doors is still visible. | |
In 2017, authorities found the structures - now publicly-owned - were highly likely to collapse in a strong earthquake. | In 2017, authorities found the structures - now publicly-owned - were highly likely to collapse in a strong earthquake. |
And - as the buildings are not in use, and are not open to the public - the local government decided they should be demolished by 2022. | And - as the buildings are not in use, and are not open to the public - the local government decided they should be demolished by 2022. |
A third building at the site will be preserved, and its walls and roof will be repaired and reinforced to protect it from earthquakes. | A third building at the site will be preserved, and its walls and roof will be repaired and reinforced to protect it from earthquakes. |
Iwao Nakanishi, 89, was in one of the buildings when the city was bombed. He is now the head of a local group demanding the preservation of the buildings. | Iwao Nakanishi, 89, was in one of the buildings when the city was bombed. He is now the head of a local group demanding the preservation of the buildings. |
"Considering the historical significance of telling the tragedy to the future generation, we can no way accept the demolition," he told the Mainichi newspaper. "We strongly oppose it." | "Considering the historical significance of telling the tragedy to the future generation, we can no way accept the demolition," he told the Mainichi newspaper. "We strongly oppose it." |
Mr Nakanishi said the buildings could be used to promote "the abolition of nuclear weapons". | Mr Nakanishi said the buildings could be used to promote "the abolition of nuclear weapons". |
In recent years, they have not been used - although visits were possible via the local authority. | In recent years, they have not been used - although visits were possible via the local authority. |
"These are valuable buildings that are telling us the horror of the atomic bomb," one 69-year-old who visited the site told Hiroshima paper Yomiuri. | "These are valuable buildings that are telling us the horror of the atomic bomb," one 69-year-old who visited the site told Hiroshima paper Yomiuri. |
"I felt strongly after looking at them directly for the first time so I want all of them to be preserved." | "I felt strongly after looking at them directly for the first time so I want all of them to be preserved." |
Hiroshima's most famous ruin from the bomb is the dome in the city's Peace Memorial Park. | Hiroshima's most famous ruin from the bomb is the dome in the city's Peace Memorial Park. |
A Unesco World Heritage site, it has undergone reinforcement work to make it more earthquake resistant. | A Unesco World Heritage site, it has undergone reinforcement work to make it more earthquake resistant. |
What happened in Hiroshima? | What happened in Hiroshima? |
After Germany had surrendered in May 1945, Japan continued the war in Asia. | After Germany had surrendered in May 1945, Japan continued the war in Asia. |
The US hoped that dropping a nuclear bomb - after Japan rejected an earlier ultimatum for peace - would force a quick surrender without risking US casualties on the ground. | The US hoped that dropping a nuclear bomb - after Japan rejected an earlier ultimatum for peace - would force a quick surrender without risking US casualties on the ground. |
The first bomb, dropped on Hiroshima, killed an estimated 140,000 people in total, once long-term radiation illness was taken into account. | The first bomb, dropped on Hiroshima, killed an estimated 140,000 people in total, once long-term radiation illness was taken into account. |
The attack was the first time a nuclear weapon was used during a war. | The attack was the first time a nuclear weapon was used during a war. |
When no immediate surrender came from the Japanese, US forces dropped a second bomb three days later, on the city of Nagasaki. | When no immediate surrender came from the Japanese, US forces dropped a second bomb three days later, on the city of Nagasaki. |
Japan surrendered six days later and officially brought about the end of World War Two. | Japan surrendered six days later and officially brought about the end of World War Two. |