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Nagasaki mayor warns of nuclear war 80 years after atomic bomb attack

August 9, 2025

Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki called for an end to global conflicts during the 80th anniversary commemoration of the atomic bombing that killed approximately 74,000 people on August 9, 1945. The solemn ceremony included symbolic water offerings honoring those who perished, a moment of silence, and the historic ringing of Nagasaki's twin cathedral bells in unison for the first time since the attack. Suzuki warned that continuing on the current trajectory of global confrontation could lead to nuclear war, while 93-year-old survivor Hiroshi Nishioka shared his firsthand account of the bombing's immediate and lingering horrors.

Who is affected

  • Nagasaki bombing survivors and their descendants
  • Residents of Nagasaki
  • The 74,000 people killed in the 1945 atomic bombing
  • Those who suffered from leukemia and radiation side effects after the bombing
  • Current global populations affected by ongoing conflicts (implied)

What action is being taken

  • Nagasaki is holding a solemn ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing
  • The twin cathedral bells in Nagasaki are ringing in unison for the first time since the attack
  • Water offerings are being made as a symbolic gesture by participants of different generations
  • Mayor Suzuki is appealing for an end to wars through his Peace Declaration
  • Nagasaki is extending invitations to Israel, Russia, and Belarus for this year's commemoration

Why it matters

  • The commemoration serves as a reminder of the devastating human cost of nuclear weapons
  • The mayor warns that current global conflicts could escalate to nuclear war if not addressed
  • The ceremony highlights the ongoing physical and psychological effects experienced by survivors
  • The event preserves historical memory of the atomic bombing for younger generations
  • The commemoration occurs amid current major conflicts including Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC