Over 1.1 million people were murdered at Auschwitz, including nearly a million Jews. On the day of liberation 80 years ago, only 7,000 were saved.

By Barbara Erling and Kuba Stezycki OSWIECIM, Poland (Reuters) -Auschwitz survivors were being joined by world leaders on Monday to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German death camp by Soviet troops,

Survivors of the Nazi's notorious Auschwitz death camp are taking center stage at the memorial service to mark 80 years since its liberation by Soviet troops.

Auschwitz concentration camp is a symbol of the Holocaust in southern Poland, one of the most trying moments in human history.

In just over four-and-a-half years, Nazi Germany systematically murdered at least 1.1 million people at Auschwitz, built in the south of occupied Poland near the town of Oswiecim. Auschwitz was at the centre of the Nazi campaign to eradicate Europe's Jewish population, and almost one million of those who died there were Jews.

Around 50 survivors of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz gathered together for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the camp.

Jan. 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day to memorialize the six million Jews and millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.

On Jan. 27, 1945, the Soviet army liberated the Auschwitz network of concentration camps in Poland, freeing some 7,000 survivors.

When the Red Army liberated the Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27, 1945, the soldiers encountered unimaginable horrors, including mass graves, the smoldering remains of gas chambers and prisoners starving to death.