Mourners floated about 500 paper lanterns down a river in a city north of Tokyo in remembrance of those who died in US air raids. They also offered prayers for peace.

Local residents and bereaved family members of the victims gathered at the Hoshikawa River in Kumagaya City in Saitama Prefecture on Wednesday. They released the lanterns after offering silent prayers at the annual event.

Bombers struck the city on the night of August 14, 1945, the eve of the end of World War Two. More than 250 people lost their lives, and about two-thirds of the city was burned. It is said that many people sought refuge in the river to escape the flames.

A man in his 70s said he lost his 4-year-old sister in the air raids. He brought his grandchild to the event and said he wants to convey the importance of peace to the next generations.

A woman in her 40s said the city would not have been attacked had the war ended one day earlier. She added that she hopes for lasting peace.