Some 900 people attended a memorial ceremony held in the city of Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Monday to pray for the 11 people who were crushed to death on an overcrowded pedestrian bridge after a fireworks event in July.
Children pray at a memorial service held to mourn for those who died during a fatal crush at a fireworks display this summer.The ceremony, which was held at a civic center, was organized by the municipal government. Among those taking part were the families of the victims -- most of whom were children -- officials of Akashi Police Station and representatives of the private security companies that were assigned to help crowd control at the venue.
In his address to the gathering, Akashi Mayor Nobuhiro Okada read out the names of all 11 who died and apologized, saying, "In my heart, I have nothing but the feeling of utmost regret and apology for those who were forced to embark on a long journey."