Double-atomic survivor dies

Tsutomu Yamaguchi was 28 years old when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. He was there on a business trip and survived with serious burns, only to make his way back to his home in Nagasaki just in time for the bomb to be dropped there. The man two atomic bombs couldn't kill died today, at the age of 93.

Maggie Koerth-Baker is the science editor at BoingBoing.net. She writes a monthly column for The New York Times Magazine and is the author of Before the Lights Go Out, a book about electricity, infrastructure, and the future of energy. You can find Maggie on Twitter and Facebook.

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Dave Faris

Luckiest Man Alive Dies.
- PeaceLove
  
  Experiencing *two* atomic bomb blasts is your idea of lucky? Not so sure I would have wanted to survive the first.
  
  What went through his mind when the second one dropped. “Oh shit, again with the A-bombs?”
  
  It does kind of put my own troubles in perspective. Amazing that he lived so long with such an intensely traumatic story. Very inspiring.
Day Vexx

Out of respect, let’s all agree to leave the possible Bruce Schneier/Chuck Norris-type jokes at the door.
dculberson

“Immediately after the war, Yamaguchi worked as a translator for American forces in Nagasaki and later as a junior high school teacher.”

The human capacity to forgive is unbelievable. Farewell, good sir. The world is a better place for having had you.
- Jonathan Badger
  
  Not sure how working for the Americans has anything to do with “forgiveness”. When your country is occupied, working for the occupiers is the typical occupation — the occupiers have an interest in rebuilding the country (in their interest, of course, but eventually the natives get benefits)
  - dculberson
    
    There are a lot of things he could have done other than “working for the occupiers.” Many of them destructive and counter productive.
benher

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Anonymous

I don’t believe in heaven but if there is any sort of afterlife paradise this motherfucker should get an immediate free pass for entry
jeligula

Having personally seen the blast shadows in Hiroshima, this leaves me speechless.
febryle

Wow, finally got him. Way to go! USA! USA! USA!
- Anonymous
  
  you just made me laught quite loudely. congratulations sir (lady?)!
warreno

Is there any part of this man’s story that isn’t simply incredible?