DHAKA: The Japanese city of Nagasaki is marking 70 years since the dropping of an atomic bomb by the United States.

A ceremony there will observe a minute's silence, followed by speeches by the Nagasaki mayor and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

A cathedral that was destroyed by the bomb but later rebuilt celebrated a remembrance Mass, BBC reported.

At least 70,000 people died in the attack, which came three days after another bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

Nagasaki was only chosen because the original target, Kokura, was obscured by a cloud.

A solemn ceremony began on Sunday with a declaration read out by children, followed by the sounding of bells.

A minute's silence will mark the time of the explosion at 11:02 (02:02 GMT).

US ambassador Caroline Kennedy was expected to attend the commemorations in Nagasaki.

BDST: 0830 HRS, AUG 9, 2015
RS