Thursday marks 70 years since the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima.<br /><br /> It killed around 140,000 people in the Japanese city by the end of 1945.<br /><br /> The only structure left standing on ground zero is now known as the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome. <br /><br /> Now recognised by UNESCO as “a stark and powerful symbol of the most destructive force ever created by humankind”, it has been transformed into a peace memorial.<br /><br /> During World War II, the building was used to house government offices.<br /><br /> Kimie Mihara, now aged 89 and a great-grandmother, worked there as a teenager.<br /><br /> “I survived because I was late for work,” she said. <br /><br /> “So I felt lucky because I was not here at the time but when I think of those who died because they were diligent and on time, I am just so sorry for them.”<br /><br /> Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki and on August 15, Japan surrendered.<br /><br /> Their ranks dwindling, survivors continue to suffer the after-effects of radiation. Some find it too painful to
