Mourners have gathered to remember the victims of a deadly arson attack that occurred at a medical clinic in the city of Osaka, western Japan, exactly two years ago.

The incident took place on December 17, 2021, at a mental health clinic in the city's Kita Ward. Twenty-six people died, including patients, the clinic's doctor and members of the staff.

The suspect, Tanimoto Morio, then aged 61, later died due to carbon monoxide poisoning during the fire. Police sent papers to prosecutors on suspicion of arson and murder, but the case was dropped.

The building remains closed off. Where the clinic was located on the fourth floor, broken windows are boarded over and the signboard has been left hanging.

On Sunday, bereaved families, former patients and others visited the site to mourn the victims. The sister of the doctor, Nishizawa Kotaro, who was killed in the fire, also came to offer prayers.

Parents who lost their daughter, who was in her 30s, said the day of the incident was to be the last day of her sessions at the clinic. The mother said it is really frustrating that her daughter was supposed to have many things to enjoy for years to come, but instead met a tragic death.

A former patient in his 30s, who had seen the doctor for five years, said that he was unable to visit the site last year because he was still depressed. He said Nishizawa supported him very much to return to work, so he will move forward.