Survivors commemorate 12th anniversary of the Great Hanshin earthquake

[Sepiola]

Wednesday marks the 12th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, which claimed more than 6,400 lives and devastated Kobe and other areas of western Japan.

Various memorial events for victims were held in the region. At a park in Kobe, candles stuck in bamboo containers were arranged to form the numbers 1-17, the date of the quake, and were lit for the victims.

Participants observed a moment of silence at 5:46 a.m. -- the exact time the earthquake struck the region 12 years ago.

The massive quake resulted in the deaths of 6,434 people and damaged or destroyed about 250,000 buildings.

Some memorial events are being held for the last time this year because of the age of the people involved.

In Kobe, some schools are planning to hold classes to teach young people about the lessons learned from the earthquake.