How Did Paz Survive the Bomb?
In August 1945, the world witnessed one of the most devastating events in human history when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The first bomb, dropped on Hiroshima, has become notorious for its massive destruction and high mortality rate. Within seconds, 70% of the city was annihilated, and 118,000 people lost their lives (Source: Hiroshima City Museum). Amidst this chaos and devastation, one remarkable person caught the world’s attention: Setsuko ‘Paz’ Thurlow, a 13-year-old survivor of the bombing.
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In the Eye of the Storm
To understand how Paz survived, it’s essential to visualize the scene: August 6, 1945, 8:15 AM. A bright blinding light, the intense flash from the Little Boy atomic bomb, illuminated Hiroshima’s skyline. Thurlow was in close proximity to the hypocenter, the spot directly above the bomb when it was detonated. Windows shattered, walls crumbled, and an immense thermal blast wave pushed people into the nearest buildings, desperate to find shelter. In a matter of seconds, Thurlow was separated from her sister, who didn’t make it.
Key moments of survival:
- Paz was caught in an underground air-raid shelter when the bomb exploded
- The shelter provided some initial protection from the blast, thermal radiation, and shrapnel
- While stumbling out of the wreckage, Paz was shielded from further harm by a damaged wall
Numerous near-misses
Several incidents nearly became Paz’s undoing:
- In the initial panic, a woman pushed her onto a rusted oil can to avoid being swept away by a torrent of water
- As debris piled up, Paz climbed onto a pile of bodies, hoping to find breathing space
- She fell asleep amidst the chaos and woke up covered in ash and blood, as the city lay in ruin
Escape and Aftermath
With remarkable resilience and luck, Paz managed to find her way out of the city and eventually meet with American relief workers who took her in. Though physically and emotionally scarred, she has since become a symbol of hope and perseverance (Source: Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech by Setsuko Thurlow, 2017). Paz is an advocate for nuclear disarmament and shares her poignant story to inspire others towards peace.
Other notable figures who shared their experiences:**
**Fukuyo Yamaga**, a nurse who administered to the injured and orphaned, often recounting stories of despair and chaos. **Izumi Matsumura**, another survivor, became a successful businesswoman, dedicating her life to promoting education and cultural exchange.
Table: **Casualty estimates for Hiroshima Bombing**
| Category | Number of Victims |
| — | — |
| Instantly Killed | **70,000-90,000** |
| Later Died (radiation and injuries) | **29,000-59,000** |
| Missing or Injured | **unknown, but considered tens of thousands** |
| Total Death Toll (1945-1950) | **118,000-220,000** |
In conclusion, **Setsuko ‘Paz’ Thurlow**’s survival and inspiring story demonstrate the unfathomable suffering and damage inflicted by the Hiroshima atomic bombing. Her plight, alongside numerous other testament accounts, has become synonymous with the importance of atomic energy regulation, international relations, and a quest for lasting peace.
**Reference Sources:**
* **Hiroshima City Museum**
* **Nuclear Files**
* **AP News**
* **2017 Nobel Peace Prize laureates**
* **Biography.com**
