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Kobe earthquake

On 17 January 1995, an earthquake devastated the port city of Kobe, in west Japan.

On 17 January 1995, an earthquake devastated the port city of Kobe, in west Japan.

More than 6,000 people died and around 300,000 people were left homeless.

It was one of the most powerful earthquakes in the country's history.

Rachel Naylor speaks to Kiho Park who, aged eight, had to jump off his balcony to escape when his home was damaged.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

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(Photo: A resident walks through the debris in Kobe after the earthquake. Credit: TORU YAMANAKA/AFP via Getty Images)

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