Buddhika Weerasinghe: Kobe Marks 18th Anniversary Of Hanshin Great Earthquake

A man lights a candle for victims of the 1995 'Great Hanshin earthquake' during a memorial ceremony on January 17, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Memorial services were held to mark the 18th anniversary of the 1995 massive earthquake, hundreds of people gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,400 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

©Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

People light candles and pray for victims of the 1995 'Great Hanshin earthquake' during a memorial ceremony on January 17, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Memorial services were held to mark the 18th anniversary of the 1995 massive earthquake, hundreds of people gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,400 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A couple lights a candle for victims of the 1995 'Great Hanshin earthquake' during a memorial ceremony on January 17, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Memorial services were held to mark the 18th anniversary of the 1995 massive earthquake, hundreds of people gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,400 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

People toss flowers into a pond at a memorial to the victims of the 1995 'Great Hanshin earthquake' during a ceremony on January 17, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Memorial services were held to mark the 18th anniversary of the 1995 massive earthquake, hundreds of people gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,400 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A woman prays in front of plates showing the names of the victims in the 1995 'Great Hanshin earthquake' during a memorial ceremony on January 17, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Memorial services were held to mark the 18th anniversary of the 1995 massive earthquake, hundreds of people gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,400 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A man lights a candle as prays for victims of the 1995 'Great Hanshin earthquake' during a memorial ceremony on January 17, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Memorial services were held to mark the 18th anniversary of the 1995 massive earthquake, hundreds of people gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,400 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

People stand next to bamboo lanterns and pray for victims of the 1995 'Great Hanshin earthquake' during a memorial ceremony on January 17, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Memorial services were held to mark the 18th anniversary of the 1995 massive earthquake, hundreds of people gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,400 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)