日航空難二十五周年

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

５２０人が犠牲者となった日航ジャンボ機の墜落事故から１２日で２５年。墜落現場の群馬県上野村では、亡くなった人たちを追悼する灯ろう流しが行われました。
灯ろう流しは、墜落現場「御巣鷹の尾根」の、ふもとを流れる神流川で行われ、遺族の人たちが日暮れ前から次々と集まりました。そして灯ろうに、「ことしで２５年毎年必ず会いに来るよ」とか、「ずっと空で見ていてください」などと書き入れ、川に流しました。事故で娘を亡くしたという横浜市の７８歳の男性は、「２５年がたちましたが、娘はいつも心の中でいっしょです。いつもありがとうという気持ちで灯ろうを流しました」と話していました。また、当時、客室乗務員をしていた娘を亡くした、川崎市の８３歳の女性は「娘が亡くなって２５年がたちますが気持ちは変わりません。とても残念です」と、話していました。遺族の人たちは、１２日に墜落現場をめざす慰霊の登山を行い、夕方からはふもとの「慰霊の園」で行われる慰霊式に参加して、犠牲者に黙とうをささげることにしています。

On the 12th, it would be the 25th year of the crash of the Japan Air Line jumbo jet in which 520 people became victims. The lantern floating ceremony that mourned the dead was held at the crash site at Uenomura in Gunma Prefecture.

Lantern floating was held at the foot of the "Nesting Hawk's Ridge" which was the crash site and where the "God Float River" flowed pass, bereaved family members one after another gathered during the nightfall. On the lanterns were written "In this year of the 25 years, came to meet without failing" or "In the sky please keep on looking" etc. and then floated into the river. A 78-year-old man of Yokohama City whose daughter was lost in the accident said ｢My daughter is always accompanying me in my heart though 25 years have passed. As usual the lantern was floated with thankful feeling｣. Also, a 83-year-old woman from Kawasaki City whose daughter at the time of death was the cabin crew, said ｢My feelings has not changed though my daughter is dead and 25 years has passed. It is very regrettable｣. Bereaved family members on the 12th participated in a memorial that climbed the ridge at a direction pointing at the crash site, and in the evening they participated in the ceremony held at the "Garden of the Memorial" located at the hill foot, to offer silent prayers to the victims.

It was a major air disaster happened a quarter of a century ago in Japan in which 520 people had died. I feel sad for family members of the victims.