MAEBASHI, JAPAN, Aug 12: Families and friends of the 520 victims of the 1985 Japan Airlines jumbo jet crash climbed to the mountain accident site in Gunma, north of Tokyo, today to mark the 27th anniversary.
The visitors to the site, known as Osutaka Ridge, placed flowers and other offerings in front of the grave-posts of the deceased.
Some of them went up further toward the summit, gathering in front of a monument dedicated to the victims and offered a silent prayer, renewing their wish for safety of air and other traffic after a recent series of major traffic accidents, including one involving a tour bus which crashed and killed seven passengers in April on an expressway in the prefecture.
JAL President Yoshiharu Ueki will climb the mountain in the afternoon to offer prayers for the victims.
The worst single-aircraft accident in aviation history killed all but four of the 524 passengers and crew members aboard the Boeing 747, which was en route from Tokyo to Osaka. (agencies)
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