Japan: PM Abe attends Hiroshima memorial on 70th anniversary of atomic bombing

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was one of several government officials to attend a memorial service in Hiroshima's peace park, Wednesday, on the 70th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the city. During the ceremony, which took place in front of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, a children's orchestra played, and a moments silence was observed and a Japanese Peace Bell was rung in memory of the victims of the bombing. At least 60,000 people were killed in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and a further 40,000 were killed in Nagasaki three days later on August 9, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on both Japanese cities. Aside from the victims who died immediately in the attacks, tens of thousands of people suffered long-term effects as a result of the nuclear explosions, many of whom died from exposure in the following months. By the end of 1945 the total death in Hiroshima alone was estimated at 140,000. The twin bombings were the first and last time nuclear weapons were used in a war.