Kobe is marking the 20th anniversary of its devastating earthquake.<br /><br /> Ceremonies are being held in the Japanese city to remember the almost 6,500 people killed in the disaster. <br /><br /> One elderly man told reporters: “Time has stopped for me, and the memory of 20 years ago has frozen inside my heart. <br /><br /> “No matter how much time passes, it doesn’t disappear.”<br /><br /> Bamboo lanterns – one for each victim – have been lit by family members of those killed and survivors.<br /><br /> The city of 1.5 million was virtually destroyed in the 7.3 magnitude quake.<br /><br /> It struck in the early morning while many residents were still asleep. <br /><br /> Prayers were said at 5:46 am on Saturday, the exact time of the quake on January 17, 1995.<br /><br /> Most of the victims died in collapsing homes or from fires that raged throughout the city.<br /><br /> The equivalent of more than 100 billion euros has been spent on rebuilding work.
