Haunting images have been released showing the immediate aftermath of the American atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima 70 years ago today.
Horrifically injured locals are pictured wandering along flattened streets strewn with corpses in the western Japanese city only hours after the nuclear bomb, nicknamed 'Little Boy', was dropped.
Radiation in the city was so intense that everybody pictured in the chilling images would have died of exposure poisoning in the weeks, months and years that followed the August 6, 1945 attack.
As Japan today commemorates the loss of 140,000 people killed in the initial blast, as well the countless numbers who died later, the incredibly rare images have now gone on display together for the first time at Scotland's Secret Bunker museum in a small town in Fife.
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Haunting: Horrifically injured locals are pictured dying on flattened streets strewn with corpses in the western Japanese city only hours after the nuclear bomb, nicknamed 'Little Boy', was dropped
Doomed: Wrapped in bloodied bandages, families pose for photographs seemingly unaware that they'll almost certainly have been exposed to fatal levels of radiation poisoning in the aftermath of the blast. Right, Injured locals walk along streets strewn with corpses
Dying: The haunting photographs are thought to have been taken shortly after the attack, 70 years ago today
Devastated: Hardly any buildings in Hiroshima were left standing after the massive atomic bomb blast
The images taken shortly after the attack 70 years ago today show mothers cradling their injured babies while covered in blood, as well as survivors picking through the rubble of the city.
Wrapped in bloodied bandages, families pose for photographs seemingly unaware that they'll almost certainly have been exposed to fatal levels of radiation poisoning in the aftermath of the blast.
The collection of photographs were discovered 10 years ago, but their display at Scotland's Secret Bunker museum is believed to be the first time they have been shown together.
Tragic: Wrapped in bloodied bandages, a Japanese mother cradles and breastfeeds her injured baby
Chaos: The unknown photographer is believed to have died shortly before his camera went on sale, as nobody could have survived the radiation levels in the area so soon after the bombing
Carnage: The collection of photographs were discovered 10 years ago, but their display at Scotland's Secret Bunker museum is believed to be the first time they have been shown together
Blast: 'Little Boy' - the first atomic bomb one used at war - killed 140,000 people in Hiroshima (pictured). A second bomb 'Fat Man,' dropped over Nagasaki three days later, killed another 70,000
As well as displaying the harrowing images, Scotland's Secret Bunker are also showing the critically acclaimed 1965 film, 'The War Game', which depicts the fictional aftermath of a nuclear event.
Although it was commissioned by the BBC and directed by Peter Watkins, the organisation banned it for over 20 years. The film did appear as a cinematic release, however, which earned it an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 1966.
The film was eventually broadcast in 1985, on the 40th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.
Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing this morning, with Mayor Kazumi Matsui renewing calls for U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders to step up efforts toward making a nuclear-weapons-free world.
Tens of thousands of people stood for a minute of silence at 8:15am at a ceremony in Hiroshima's peace park near the epicenter of the 1945 attack, marking the moment of the blast. Then dozens of doves were released as a symbol of peace.
The U.S. bomb, 'Little Boy,' the first nuclear weapon used in war, killed 140,000 people.
A second bomb, 'Fat Man,' dropped over Nagasaki three days later, killed another 70,000, prompting Japan's surrender in the Second World War
Prayers: Visitors prayed for an end to nuclear weapons as Japan came to a standstill to mark the 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima blast
Silent tribute: The sun rises over the Atomic Bomb Dome beside the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima
Visitors pray for the atomic bomb victims in front of the cenotaph at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park today
Symbol of peace: Dozens of doves were released into the air over a park in Hiroshima, which lies close to the epicentre of the 1945 attack
Deep in thought: A woman prays in front of the memorial to the victims of the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bombing on the 70th anniversary of the attack today
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