Commemorations mark 80 years since Hiroshima

Prayer services have been held in Japan on Wednesday morning as it marked 80 years since the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima in 1945.

Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba attended the ceremony on Wednesday, at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, along with officials from around the world.

World War Two ended with Japan's surrender after the dropping of the bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which took place days apart.

The bombs caused huge destruction and thousands of people died.

Today people still remember what happened and each year commemoration services are held to mark the events.

A boy lights incense at the at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on the 80th Atomic Bombing Day anniversary in Hiroshima, western Japan.

Children and young people were part of a national service of prayer and commemoration where bells were rung.

The centrepiece of the commerations was at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, where doves were released during the service, symbolising peace.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (furthest to the right) joins in the prayers at the ceremony.

A monk stands in front of a memorial statue at the memorial park.