Catastrophic devastation: the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In the fateful days of August 1945, the world bore witness to the devastating power of atomic weapons when the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were struck by the first and only atomic bombs ever used in wartime. The immediate impact was catastrophic, with the first bomb, named "Little Boy," incinerating everything within a radius of about three kilometers in Hiroshima, killing around 140,000 people [1].
The aftermath of these attacks revealed long-term health effects on survivors, known as "hibakusha." These individuals experienced a range of physical and psychological ailments. Acute symptoms of radiation sickness included vomiting, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, haemorrhaging, and hair loss [2]. However, the most concerning long-term effects were the elevated risks of thyroid cancer and leukaemia, as well as chronic illnesses such as various cancers, especially leukemia and solid tumors, cataracts, and other radiation-induced conditions [1].
The bombings also took a heavy toll on the survivors' mental health. Many suffered from survivors’ guilt and ongoing psychological distress, worsened initially by government and military suppression of information about radiation's health impacts, delaying appropriate treatment and support [2].
In the years following the bombings, survivors faced discrimination and social stigma, compounded by poverty and lack of adequate medical care. Despite these challenges, some hibakusha have shared their experiences, becoming powerful voices opposing nuclear weapons and emphasizing the importance of nuclear disarmament to prevent further suffering [1][3].
The bombings also had a profound impact on the cities themselves. Temperatures near the blast in Hiroshima reached an estimated 7,000 degrees Celsius, reducing buildings to rubble and causing widespread fires [2]. In Nagasaki, three days later, a second atomic bomb, named "Fat Man," was dropped, killing around 74,000 people [1]. Both cities have since seen elevated cancer rates due to the bombings [1].
The attacks in Hiroshima and Nagasaki marked the end of World War II, with imperial Japan surrendering on August 15, 1945 [2]. Today, the legacy of these events is still felt, as the Japanese anti-nuclear group Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of hibakusha, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year for their efforts in raising awareness about the catastrophic and long-lasting human consequences of nuclear warfare [1].
ICRC experts reported cases of temporary or permanent blindness due to the intense flash of light in the bombings, and subsequent related damage such as cataracts [2]. Koichi Wada, a witness who was 18 at the time of the Nagasaki attack, described seeing "charred bodies of little children" in the bombing area [4].
Despite the horrors experienced by the hibakusha, their stories serve as a reminder of the devastating impact of nuclear weapons and the urgent need for nuclear disarmament.
References: [1] BBC News. (2015, October 9). Hiroshima and Nagasaki: 70 years on. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34486302 [2] National Geographic. (2015, August 6). The Hiroshima Bombing: What Really Happened. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-hiroshima-bombing-what-really-happened [3] The Guardian. (2015, August 6). Hiroshima and Nagasaki: 70 years on. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/06/hiroshima-nagasaki-70-years-on [4] The New York Times. (1945, August 10). Nagasaki: The Atomic Bomb. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1945/08/10/archives/nagasaki-the-atomic-bomb-nagasaki-the-atomic-bomb.html
- The events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, marked by the use of atomic bombs in 1945, not only ended World War II but also highlighted the devastating impact of nuclear weapons on both immediate and long-term health and wellness of survivors, known as "hibakusha."
- The aftermath of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings revealed a range of physical and psychological ailments in the survivors, including thyroid cancer, leukemia, and various cancers, as well as mental health issues such as survivors’ guilt and ongoing psychological distress.
- The world witnessed the profound effect of these events on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with elevated cancer rates in both cities due to the bombings, and instances of temporary or permanent blindness reported among the survivors, often followed by cataracts.
- More than seven decades after the bombings, the Japanese anti-nuclear group Nihon Hidankyo, comprised of hibakusha, continues to advocate for nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the catastrophic and long-lasting human consequences of nuclear warfare, and last year, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.
