The shadows of Hiroshima: Haunting imprints of people killed by the blast
HIROSHIMA is today commemorating the 70th anniversary of the atomic bomb that the Americans dropped, flattening the Japanese city and killing up to 166,000 people.
On August 6, 1945, a US B-29 bomber unleashed the uranium missile, which exploded around 1,800 feet above the ground.
The horrifying attack destroyed the city centre and wiped out 70,000 people instantly, with thousands more dying from radiation poisoning over the subsequent days, weeks and months.
At 8.15 local time this morning, a bell tolled in Hiroshima to mark the exact moment the devastating bomb was dropped.
Such was the ferocity of the blast, eerie shadows of incinerated humans were left imprinted on steps, pavements and walls.
The haunting impressions were caused by the heat of the explosion, which changed the colour of surfaces - hence the outline of bodies and objects that absorbed some of the blast.
In commoration of the horrific atrocity that day, here are seven evocative Hiroshima shadows that remained once the dust had settled...
Ladder and figure of a person, who's possibly holding the steps, marked on wooden structure
The shape of a person with a walking stick remains on the steps
Image of a man who appears to be wearing a hat and running, fruitlessly, for cover
Incredibly sharp replica image of valve is imprinted on the wall by the atomic blast
Building is decorated by the erratic heat impact of the explosion
A bicycle lies chillingly discarded on the road
The posts of the bridge barrier are etched onto the tarmac
