The shadows of Hiroshima: Haunting imprints of people killed by the blast

HIROSHIMA is today commemorating the 70th anniversary of the atomic bomb that

the Americans dropped, flattening the Japanese city and killing up to

166,000 people.

On August 6, 1945, a US B-29 bomber unleashed the uranium missile, which

exploded around 1,800 feet above the ground.

The horrifying attack destroyed the city centre and wiped out 70,000 people

instantly, with thousands more dying from radiation poisoning over the

subsequent days, weeks and months.

At 8.15 local time this morning, a bell tolled in Hiroshima to mark the exact

moment the devastating bomb was dropped.

Such was the ferocity of the blast, eerie shadows of incinerated humans were

left imprinted on steps, pavements and walls.

The haunting impressions were caused by the heat of the explosion, which

changed the colour of surfaces – hence the outline of bodies and objects

that absorbed some of the blast.

In commoration of the horrific atrocity that day, here are seven evocative

Hiroshima shadows that remained once the dust had settled…

Ladder and figure of a person, who’s possibly holding the steps, marked on

wooden structure



The shape of a person with a walking stick remains on the steps



Image of a man who appears to be wearing a hat and running, fruitlessly, for

cover



Incredibly sharp replica image of valve is imprinted on the wall by the atomic

blast



Building is decorated by the erratic heat impact of the explosion



A bicycle lies chillingly discarded on the road



The posts of the bridge barrier are etched onto the tarmac

