[jured.
p. 99 · Read in the full issue
"Fal-Out" Compensation
From Us
THE United States Government has paid $7,000 compensation for material damage suffered by Rongelap and Uterik natives as a result of the March, 1954, hydrogen bomb accident.
It will be recalled that the I meteorologists miscalculated winds [at the time of the Bikini explosion, [with the result that 298 Islanders and 28 Americans at these two [atolls were showered with radio [ active coral dust. Some Japanese 'fishermen were more seriously in
[jured.
\ About 64 Islanders suffered fairly serious effects, varying from skin [burns to temporary loss of hair. All are now said to have recovered, t though genetic effects are and will remain unknown for a very long time.
The $7,000 represents damage to property only. According to a state ment made to the United Nations by the US Government the natives had made no personal claims for damages. In the case of the Jap anese, negotiations for damages continued for a year, and eventually £1 million or more was paid to cover [personal damages and the rendering of the fishing vessels unserviceable for a long period due to atomic con tamination.