History of Asia

How many people were killed through radiation during Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing?

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, with many victims succumbing to radiation-induced illnesses in the years that followed.

Here is a breakdown of the estimated death tolls:

Hiroshima:

- Immediate Deaths: The initial atomic blast in Hiroshima instantly killed an estimated 70,000-80,000 people. These individuals were within a few kilometers of the hypocenter, the point directly below the detonation.

- Radiation-Related Deaths: In the days, weeks, and months following the bombing, thousands more people died due to radiation-related illnesses such as acute radiation syndrome, leukemia, and other cancers. The exact number of deaths attributed solely to radiation is difficult to determine, but some estimates range from 20,000 to 60,000 additional fatalities.

Nagasaki:

- Immediate Deaths: The atomic blast in Nagasaki resulted in the instant deaths of approximately 40,000-75,000 people.

- Radiation-Related Deaths: Similar to Hiroshima, many people in Nagasaki developed radiation-induced illnesses and succumbed to them over time. The estimated toll from radiation-related deaths range from 15,000 to 45,000.

It's important to note that these figures are approximations and vary based on different sources and methodologies used to estimate the human toll. The precise number of radiation-related deaths is challenging to determine due to difficulties in tracking the health outcomes of individuals exposed to radiation and the long latency period of radiation-induced diseases.