Victims' families mark 34 years since volcanic disaster in Nagasaki Pref.
Tuesday marks 34 years since a volcanic disaster killed 43 people in Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan. To mark the date, family members of the victims visited the site.
A fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter gushed down from Mount Unzen's Fugen Peak on June 3, 1991. The victims included reporters and volcanologists observing the mountain's volcanic activity at a spot well-known for good front views of the volcano. Their taxi drivers were also among the victims.
On Tuesday, the visitors, mainly the victims' families and reporters, observed a moment of silence at the spot at 4:08 p.m., the exact time the pyroclastic flow occurred. More people visited the site later and offered prayers toward the volcano.
Komura Tetsuya lost his younger brother Koji, who was a videographer for Nippon TV, in the disaster. Komura said that the camera people around him reminded him of his brother and this made him emotional. He added that he believes that his brother continued shooting the scene until the last moment.
Komura added that reporters' efforts are of no use if they die, and that they must protect their lives, too. He expressed hope this lesson will be widely shared.
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