Nagasaki mushroom cloud
Photographer: Charles Levy
Date: August 9, 1945
Location: Nagasaki, Japan
Charles Levy photographed the mushroom cloud over Nagasaki, Japan, on August 9, 1945, from the B-29 bomber Bockscar after it dropped the plutonium atomic bomb 'Fat Man.' The explosion occurred at 11:02 AM local time and devastated the Urakami Valley area of the city. Approximately 40,000 people were killed instantly, with many more dying later from injuries and radiation exposure. The bombing occurred three days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and contributed to Japan's decision to surrender on August 15, 1945, ending World War II.
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