The city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture will place a cenotaph Friday for those killed in an overcrowding incident during a fireworks display last July, city officials said Sunday.
City employees and relatives of the victims on the same day removed a makeshift floral tribute from the site of the incident. The new marker will be placed there Friday.
The incident occurred at the southernmost part of a pedestrian bridge connecting JR Asagiri Station and the seashore.
Eleven people, including nine children, were killed and over 120 hurt when crowds returning from a fireworks display encountered crowds going to watch the display on July 21. A number of people collapsed and were trampled in the pushing and shoving that ensued.
After a reading of sutras by several Buddhist monks, the relatives and city workers carefully packed toys, which had been offered for the child victims, into cardboard boxes.
They also removed a message board for the victims placed on acrylic windshield panels on the pedestrian bridge.
The city plans to unveil the cenotaph in a ceremony on July 19.