People are remembering the victims of a massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan's northeast. It's been 11 years, but families affected by the disaster -- and the nuclear accident it triggered --- are still in mourning.

People across Japan observed a moment of silence at 2:46 p.m., the exact time the magnitude-9 earthquake struck.

Around 15,900 people were killed. More than 2,500 people are still missing. And, over the years, officials have attributed another 3,786 deaths to illnesses linked to the disaster.

Okuma Town hosts the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which was crippled by a triple meltdown.

Many who were forced to flee are still not allowed to go home. But people made a trip here to remember the tragedy.

Miyagi was the prefecture hardest hit by the tsunami.
In Natori City alone, nearly 1,000 people died or haven't been found.

Their loved ones released balloons shaped like doves, carrying messages to those who were lost.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio spoke at a memorial ceremony in Fukushima Prefecture about the need to look forward.

He said, "It is our duty to remember the precious lesson we learned from the quake disaster and the great loss it incurred. We must make use of the lesson to prevent and reduce disasters."

Kishida said his government will continue working to rebuild and help evacuees return home.