AT TWO MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN O'CLOCK YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) MORNING CHURCH AND TEMPLE BELLS, FACTORY SIRENS AND SHIPS WHISTLES SOUNDED TO MARK THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DROPPING OF THE ATOMIC BOMB ON NAGASAKI IN 1945, WHICH IN ONE BLINDING FLASH WIPED OUT 73,000 PEOPLE.

AT THE EXACT TIME THAT THE BOMB WAS DROPPED 21 YEARS AGO, PEOPLE IN OFFICES, SHOPS AND ON THE STREETS STOPPED TO OFFER SILENT PRAYERS IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS.

IN THE CITY'S "PEACE PARK" OVER FOUR-THOUSAND PEOPLE WERE PRESENT AT A MEMORIAL SERVICE ATTENDED BY THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, MR EISAKU SATO.