Family members of the victims and survivors of a 2005 train derailment that killed 107 people in western
A moment of silence was observed at around
"We caused a serious and irredeemable accident. We pledge to build a safer railway by reflecting on the accident and inscribing it in our hearts," Hasegawa said at the ceremony, attended by about 300 people, including survivors and families of the victims.
On
"It doesn't feel like 18 years have passed, it seems like it happened just yesterday," said
"Although I have sometimes lost the will to live, I want (JR West) to be a safe company more than anything. Until then, I cannot die," Fujisaki added.
The ceremony was canceled in 2020 and 2021 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and was held for the first time in three years in 2022.
A live broadcast of the event was streamed at a venue in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, for those who found it difficult to visit the site of the accident.
==Kyodo
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