Chinese united in grief for hundreds killed by mudslide

Cinemas closed and coal miners stopped work as China observed a day of mourning yesterday for more than 1,200 victims of a mudslide a week earlier in a north-western town.

In a televised memorial service, some 5,000 rescue workers and Zhouqu residents bowed their heads in silence as a siren wailed. State TV showed coal miners in northern China and railway workers with their heads bowed in mourning.

Cinemas and karaoke parlours were ordered to close and concerts were cancelled in memory of at least 1,248 people who were killed as the mudslide triggered by heavy rain crashed through Zhouqu in Gansu province on 8 August.

The government says another 496 people are still missing.

With more rain forecast, soldiers who are trying to prevent more flooding in Zhouqu went back to work after the memorial using construction equipment to clear debris from the swollen Bailong River in the town.

State television said "moderate to heavy rain" is expected from tomorrow until Thursday.

One-third of the town is still under water following the disaster. The ministry of civil affairs said at least 45,000 people were evacuated.

State media reported cases of dysentery but no epidemic. Authorities brought in mobile purification units that can provide water for up to 30,000 people, the government's China News Service reported.

Also yesterday, the giant Chinese flag on Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing was lowered to half-mast.