Japan marks 31 years since Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

People in Japan are marking 31 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. The disaster devastated the city of Kobe and surrounding areas, claiming 6,434 lives.

The magnitude-7.3 quake struck before dawn on January 17, 1995 in the western prefecture of Hyogo, sparking fires and destroying scores of buildings. People have placed lanterns at a park in Kobe to form the date 1-17 and the Japanese word "tsumugu," which means to weave.

The display is intended to express their will to move forward while passing on lessons from the disaster. A moment of silence was observed on Saturday at 5:46 a.m., the exact time of the quake.