Hiroshima plans to destroy the structures that survived the atomic bomb

Two buildings that managed to withstand the US bombing at the end of World War II are facing demolition due to their tendency to crash in an earthquake. However, residents who survived the tragedy are opposed: "Can promote nuclear weapons eradication"

Hiroshima plans to destroy the structures that survived the atomic bomb

Authorities in the city of Hiroshima plan to demolish the two structures that survived the 1945 atomic bombing of the United States, but some local Japanese residents want to keep them as historic sites. The two building blocks, built in 1913, were initially used as a military uniform manufacturing plant and later for student residences. After the bombing by the United States that resulted in the end of World War II, the buildings were used as a temporary hospital.

"They can serve as structures to promote the elimination of nuclear weapons," said one survivor. About 85,000 people were killed as a direct result of the atomic bomb, and another 35,000 were injured. The bombing plagued most of the city, and as of last year, only 85 buildings built before the atom bomb were left standing within a five-mile radius of "zero point." obvious.

In 2017, authorities discovered that the buildings, which are now publicly owned, face the danger of collapse in the event of a strong earthquake. Because they are neither used nor open to the public, the local government has decided to demolish them by 2022. A third building on the site will be maintained, and its walls and roof will be repaired and strengthened to protect it from earthquakes.

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The buildings are to be destroyed by 2022. The buildings that survived in Hiroshima

A building in Hiroshima, Japan, which survives the atomic bomb and is about to be demolished (Photo: Google Street, official website)

Wow Nakanishi, 89, was in one of the buildings when the city was bombed, and is currently headed by a local organization that requires the buildings to be preserved. "Given the historical importance of conveying the tragedy to the future generation, we cannot in any way accept the demolition," he told the Meinichi newspaper. "We strongly oppose this." He said structures could be used to promote the fight to eradicate nuclear weapons in the world.

A 69-year-old man who visited the site said "these are valuable buildings that tell us the horror of the atomic bomb." He described "strong feelings," after looking at the buildings for the first time. "So I want everyone to be saved," he said.

The most famous relic of the city bombing is the dome in the Peace Memorial Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has undergone maintenance work to withstand earthquakes.

The city was destroyed. Hiroshima after bombing (Photo: AP)

The total destruction of Hiroshima, August 1945 (Photo: AP)