HIROSHIMA, Japan — Thousands gathered at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Thursday to mark the 81st anniversary of the world’s first atomic bombing, as local leaders and international delegates issued urgent calls for nuclear disarmament amid escalating global tensions. The 1945 detonation destroyed the city, killing an estimated 140,000 people by the end of that year. Delivering the annual Peace Declaration, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui criticized global powers for relying on nuclear deterrence and urged world leaders to abandon militaristic policies. Representatives from roughly 120 nations attended the ceremony, alongside international dignitaries who reiterated the global imperative to ensure the horrors of 1945 are never repeated. This news broadcast provides footage and ceremony coverage from the 81st anniversary memorial service held at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.