Hiroshima: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today pledged to work toward the abolition of nuclear weapons as Hiroshima marked the 62nd anniversary of the world's first atomic bomb attack, which killed more than 140,000 people in the Japanese city.

Survivors, residents, visitors and officials from around the world observed a minute of silence at 8:15 am (4.45 IST), the moment the American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload on Hiroshima on August 6,1945. An estimated 140,000 people were killed instantly or died within a few months after the bombing. Three days later, another US airplane dropped a plutonium bomb on the city of Nagasaki, killing about 80,000 people. "Japan has been taking the path toward global peace for 62 years since World War II. The tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki should never be repeated in any place on earth," Abe said in a speech at Hiroshima Peace Park, near the bomb's epicenter.

"We will take an initiative in the international community and devote ourselves wholeheartedly toward abolition of nuclear weapons and realisation of peace," Abe said. Abe also said Japan will remain committed to the country's three principles of not possessing, developing or allowing nuclear weapons on Japanese soil. His remarks followed the resignation last month of Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma amid a public outcry over his having suggested that the US atomic bombings may have been justified.

About 260,000 people survived the attacks. Many have developed various illnesses caused by radiation exposure, including cancer and liver diseases. Ceremonies will also be held on Thursday's anniversary of the Nagasaki attack. Japan surrendered on Aug 15,1945, bringing World War II to an end.