On August 9, 1945, during the final stages of World War II, the United States dropped an atomic bomb named “Fat Man” on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. The bomb, with an estimated yield of 21 kilotons of TNT, detonated over the densely populated Urakami Valley, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
The immediate impact of the Nagasaki bombing was catastrophic. Approximately 40,000 to 75,000 people were killed instantly, with many more suffering from severe injuries. The explosion and ensuing firestorms ravaged buildings and infrastructure within a radius of about 1.6 kilometers from the epicenter.
The human toll continued to rise in the aftermath of the bombing due to the effects of radiation. The long-term consequences of exposure to radiation resulted in an increased risk of cancer, birth defects, and other health complications for survivors and their descendants.
The exact number of fatalities and injuries caused by the Nagasaki bombing is difficult to determine precisely due to the chaos and lack of accurate records during that time. The estimated death toll includes both immediate casualties and those who succumbed to their injuries in the following weeks and months. The overall destruction and loss of life in Nagasaki were tragic reminders of the devastating power of nuclear weapons.
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki played a significant role in Japan’s decision to surrender unconditionally, leading to the end of World War II. However, these events continue to be subjects of ethical debates regarding the use of nuclear weapons and their long-lasting humanitarian consequences.
Urakami Church -
The bell tower dome toppled inside the church by extreme blast. The collapsed main entrance is seen from tje southeast side of the church site.
Hidetsugu Aihara
Date: 1946-01/1946-01
Location: Nagasaki CityUrakami Church -
The statue of St. Mary in Grief was on the left side of the south wall entrance of the church.
Hidetsugu Aihara
Date: 1946-01/1946-01
Location: Nagasaki CityUrakami Church
The statue of St. John was on the right side of the south wall entrance.
Hidetsugu Aihara
Date: 1946-01/1946-01
Location: Nagasaki CityAkagi Cemetery -
The burial maker is for eight members of the same family. Only one date is given on the marker suggesting the entire family was killed by the atomic-bomb at the same time.
Hidetsugu Aihara
Date: 1946-01/1946-01
Location: Nagasaki CityAkagi Cemetery -
The burial maker is for eight members of the same family. Only one date is given on the marker suggesting the entire family was killed by the atomic-bomb at the same time.
Hidetsugu Aihara
Date: 1946-01/1946-01
Location: Nagasaki CityThe hypocenter viewed from the heights of Matsuyama-machi -
The lower level field behind the trees is the hypocenter area.
The bridge to the left side is the Matsuyama-bashi Bridge on the Shimono-kawa River.
The hypocenter is seen at the center of this photo.
The remaining chimney in the background is from the Nagasaki Steel Works of Mitsubishi Steel.
Hidetsugu Aihara
Date: 1946-01/1946-01
Location: Nagasaki CityA tree at the hypocenter -
Charred trees remained standing straight and were split into two being directly under the shockwave of the explosion. Mushrooms are visible coming out on the trees. It’s a property of atomic bomb which parasitic plants may grow at dead trees.
Hidetsugu Aihara
Date: 1946-01/1946-01
Location: Nagasaki CityThe hypocenter
The wooden pole at the center of the picture marks the hypocenter.
On the left side, The Nagasaki Prison Urakami Branch is on the hill., Matsuyama-bashi Bridge can be seen to the right.
The makeshift shack of a food distribution center is in the left side of Matsuyama-bashi Bridge.
Because of having been exposed to the blast directly under the center of the explosion,telegraph poles and trees were charred and remained standing.
Hidetsugu Aihara
Date: 1946-01/1946-01
Location: Nagasaki CityThe Nagasaki Prison Urakami Branch
Devastated the Nagasaki Prison Urakami Branch
Hidetsugu Aihara
Date: 1946-01/1946-01
Location: Nagasaki City
A giant column of smoke rises more than 60,000 feet into the air, after the second atomic bomb ever used in warfare explodes over the Japanese port town of Nagasaki, on August 9, 1945. Dropped by the U.S. Army Air Forces B-29 plane "Bockscar," the bomb killed more than 70,000 people instantly, with ten thousands dying later from effects of the radioactive fallout.
Taken 15 minutes after the atomic bomb detonation over Nagasaki from Koyagi-jima Island. The earliest photograph taken from the ground.Taken 15 minutes after the atomic bomb detonation over Nagasaki from Koyagi-jima Island. The earliest photograph taken from the ground.
Urakami Church is seen from the Matsuyama-machi
This area of private houses were destroyed and burnt down by intense blast and heat rays. Central back is Urakami Church (the present Urakami Cathedral). Right end, the road leads to Urakami Church (the present Urakami Cathedral) from the hypocenter.
Details
Title: Urakami Church is seen from the Matsuyama-machi
Date: 1945-10-12/1945-10-22
Location: Nagasaki CitySanno Shinto Shrine
The torii arch of one pillar of the stone steps of an approach is the second torii of Sanno Shinto Shrine, and one of the two's pillar has collapsed by blast. The big camphor tree of the back is a tree of Sanno Shinto Shrine. The branches and leaves were blown away by the blast and the trunk became charred by heat rays. All the private houses of this neighbourhood were demolished and burned down.
Date: 1945-10-12/1945-10-22
Location: Nagasaki CitySanno Shinto Shrine
Shigeo Hayashi
The branches and leaves of two big camphor trees of Sanno Shinto Shrine blew away by bomb blast and intense heat rays, and the trunk broke from the middle and became charred. But the sprout has begun to appear.
Date: 1945-10-12/1945-10-22
Location: Nagasaki CityMessage board for persons connected to Shima Hospital
Location: Saiku-machi (now, Ote-machi 1 chome)
Propped on a fire cistern is the message board hospital director Kaoru Shima set up for anyone seeking the whereabouts of loved ones connected to the hospital. At the time of the bombing, Dr. Shima was out of town examining patients in another city. When he heard the news, he returned home with all the first-aid supplies he could carry and began treating the injured. His hopes when he prepared the board were dashed. No one in the building survived.Boneset plant with variegated coloration
Location: Moto-machi
Distance from hypocenter: approx. 900m
This boneset plant grew in the ruins of the Imperial Headquarters at Hiroshima Castle. Radiation damage caused unusual white coloration. Setaria viridis and Cyperus microiria growing in the same area showed no such damage.Phytolacca esculenta with unusual coloration
Location: Moto-machi
Distance from hypocenter: approx. 900m
This Phytolacca esculenta grew in the ruins of the Imperial Headquarters at Hiroshima Castle. Radiation damage caused unusual coloration and deformation of the leaves.Trousers with black rain stains
Location: Koi-machi (now, Koi-ue)
Distance from hypocenter: approx. 3,700m
When the team traveled to west Hiroshima to study the effects of black rain, they discovered these stained trousers in a private home in Koi-machi and learned that the rain was like dirty water.
I saw a boy about ten years old walking by. He was carrying a baby on his back... I saw that the baby was already dead. The men held the body by the hands and feet and placed it on the fire. The boy stood there straight without moving, watching the flames. He was biting his lower lip so hard that it shone with blood. The flame burned low like the sun going down. The boy turned around and walked silently away. Note: Image correctly flipped horizontal.Three brothers Nagasaki.Nagasaki in ruins.Women walking past a crematorium, Nagasaki.
Boy carrying his wounded brother on his back near Nagasaki station following atomic bomb blast; NagasakiDazed boy, his face cut by glass, standing with his injured mother holding rationed rice balls, following the atomic bombing of NagasakiInjured mother suckling baby as they both await doctor following atomic bomb blast, NagasakiA man in Nagasaki searching for a doctor to treat his wounded baby the day after the bombing.Dead mother and child, lying on the platform of the Uragami train station, victims of the atomic bombing of NagasakiWoman emerges from the basement after atomic bombing of NagasakiSurvivors of the atomic bombingPartially incinerated child in NagasakiA dead horse and a wagon south of Nagasaki’s ground zero, the day after the bombing.Distant of survivors of atomic blast walking along road amid ruims of city, looking for relatives, following dropping of atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan.Around 6:00 a.m., 1500 meters from epicenter of blast, men carry a body while searching for survivors amid ruins, following dropping of atomic bomb on Nagasaki2,500 meters from epicenter, civilians flee and search for survivors, following dropping of atomic bomb on Nagasaki
