Peace vigil marks nuclear bombings

A PEACE group is holding a vigil for the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The memorial day, organised by Saddleworth Peace Group, will remember the tragic loss of life when nuclear bombs were dropped on the two cities 71 years ago this month.

Residents are invited to attend the gathering outside the Methodist Church in Uppermill Square tomorrow on the anniversary of Nagasaki at 7pm.

An event organiser said: "Nagasaki often gets forgotten as the world focuses on Hiroshima.

"The bombing happened in part because scientists at Los Alamos were 'intrigued' as to which type of bomb was the 'better', a uranium or plutonium-based bomb.

"’Little Boy’, which is uranium-based, showed its effectiveness at Hiroshima but another bombing mission was 'needed' to see what damage a plutonium bomb could do.

"The bomb dropped on Nagasaki was made from plutonium and was even more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.

"The destructive power of atomic weapons is terrifying.

"About 30 per cent of Nagasaki, including almost all the industrial district was destroyed by the bomb and nearly 74,000 people were killed and a similar number injured."

Saddleworth Peace Group has organised for speakers to attend the memorial day, where 71 candles will be lit and a silent vigil will be held. The group will be joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham, Councillor Derek Heffernan and Mrs Di Heffernan.