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| Hashima Island is a popular place for photographs of modern ruins, and was even used in the James Bond film, Skyfall. This photograph, however, shows a different perspective of it than is typical. (Source: "15 eerie abandoned cities around the world that are real-life ghost towns"--Independent). |
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Why was it abandoned?
ReplyDeleteThe island was the site of a coal mine, which was depleted in 1974, resulting in the miners and other residents leaving.
DeleteThat's what struck me as odd. A coal mine? Strange place for a coal mine...and awfully small too.
DeleteHere is what Wikipedia says about the coal mining: "The 6.3-hectare (16-acre) island was known for its undersea coal mines, established in 1887, which operated during the industrialization of Japan. The island reached a peak population of 5,259 in 1959. In 1974, with the coal reserves nearing depletion, the mine was closed and all of the residents departed soon after, leaving the island effectively abandoned for the following three decades."
DeleteThat'd be a great location for an Urban Warfare training site.
ReplyDeleteIt sure would. The Wikipedia article indicates that due to the interest in the island by tourists, there has been some cleanup and reinforcement of some of the walls to make it safer.
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