Lanterns were released in a river in Hiroshima on the evening of August 6 to commemorate 80 years since the atomic bombing of the western Japanese city.

The annual event at Motoyasu River which flows by the Atomic Bomb Dome began shortly after the end of World War II to comfort the souls of those who died after coming to the river seeking water.

S/ Participant / I wrote "peace"...with the hope that we can live in peace forever.

S/ Participant / I wrote, "May there be no more war." I want to carry on so that the feelings of atomic bomb survivors won't fade after they pass away.

About 5,500 lanterns, with messages to the deceased and wishes for peace written on them, lit up the river.