A memorial ceremony was held Sunday to mark two years since the deadly arson attack at Kyoto Animation Co.'s No. 1 studio in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, in which 36 people were killed.
A moment of silence was observed during the ceremony at 10:30 a.m., the time the attack occurred, at the former site of the studio. Kyoto Animation President Hideaki Hatta and family members of the victims were among the attendees.
The company asked fans to refrain from coming to the ceremony, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Instead, a video commemorating the victims was broadcast on the company's YouTube channel.
The video featured anonymous comments from the victims' families and people connected with Kyoto Animation.
"I just want to see you, I just want to see you. I know it's impossible, but that's been my wish since that day," a family member said.
A staff member said to the victims: "It's so painful; it breaks my heart to know that my precious friends, who I believed I would build the future with, are not here now."
The attack occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on July 18, 2019. The assailant sprayed gasoline around, and the resulting fire burnt down the three-story studio.
Of the 70 people inside, 36 were killed and 32 seriously injured.
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