Japanese city of Hiroshima marked a solemn day on Wednesday, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing that shook the world.
Amid growing global concerns about nuclear threats, attendees gathered for a ceremony to honor the victims.
A Call to Action Against Nuclear Weapons
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui emphasized the importance of younger generations understanding the devastating consequences of misguided decisions on military spending, national security, and nuclear weapons.
He urged them to continue fighting against nuclear arms.
At 8:15 am, the exact moment the U.S. bomber Enola Gay dropped the “Little Boy” atomic bomb in 1945, attendees observed a minute of silence.
This tragic event instantly killed tens of thousands of Hiroshima residents.
Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Japan surrendered shortly afterward, ending World War II.
By the end of 1945, approximately 140,000 people had lost their lives due to the bombings.
Last year, Nihon Hidankyō, a Japanese organization representing survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, received the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts toward a nuclear-free world.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the risk of nuclear conflict is increasing again.
The weapons that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki are now being used as tools of pressure in global politics.
