HUNDREDS of lanterns lit up the River Dee last night to mark 65 years since atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The floating display commemorated the 200,000 men, women and children who died when the bombs fell in August 1945.
The event, the fourth to be held in the city, was organised by Aberdeen’s Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament group (CND).
A crowd of nearly 100 people gathered by the side of the river for the memorial ceremony. Speeches were given by Unite regional organiser Tommy Campbell and Clive Kempe from the Scottish Green Party.
The Scottish National Party sent a message of support and a letter from Labour MP for Aberdeen North Frank Doran was read out.
Faith groups and student representatives also spoke, and a poetry reading was given by veteran peace campaigner Hilda Meers.
A minute’s silence was then held to remember those who died, before 200 lanterns were set afloat on the river.
The youngest member of CND, Barry Black, 15, who is also an Aberdeen youth councillor, said: “It was a really successful night. We had a decent turnout and the speeches were really inspiring. The lantern ceremony was beautiful.
“The aim was to raise awareness that nuclear weapons are still in our world.
“We need to start by making sure our own government cuts the Trident missile system.”
Ms Meers, 86, the oldest member, said: “The event is about remembering the people in Japan who suffered from the dropping of the bomb and making a resolve that we won’t let this happen again.”
For details of the Aberdeen CND group’s meetings, go to www.aberdeencnd.co.uk