Thursday marks five years since an animation studio in Kyoto City, western Japan, was set on fire, leaving 36 people dead and 32 others injured.

About 140 people, including bereaved family members and Kyoto Animation staffers and officials, gathered for a memorial service at the site.

The participants observed a minute of silence shortly after 10:30 a.m. to mark the time when the incident occurred.

A staffer then read out a condolence message in front of the altar. It said the sadness will remain in their hearts, and even if the wounds do not heal over time, the thoughts and hopes put into their work will continue into the future as long as they keep creating.

Kyoto Animation President Hatta Hideaki described his 36 late colleagues as creators who represented the company as well as Japan. He said the company will continue to produce animation works with the victims' aspirations in mind.

The altar was adorned with 36 sunflowers representing the victims.

In January, the Kyoto District Court handed down a death sentence to Aoba Shinji, who was charged with murder, arson and other crimes in this case. Aoba has appealed the ruling.