Mourning for Zhouqu victims

In midnight of August 7, an unprecedented landslide happened in Zhouqu in Gansu province, leaving Zhouqu destroyed and devastated. Until 4 pm August 14th, the disaster has taken away 1239 people s lives, 505 reported missing, 66 being treated in hospitals and 1243 rescued.

Under the deployment of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Chinese people stand firm and make a concerted effort for rescue, and different regions and departments assembled and rushed to the rescue.

To express Chinese people s deep consolation for the victims the State Council decided to hold the national day of mourning, flags across the country and in Chinese embassies flew at half-staff, all public forms of entertainment were suspended.

John Holmes, Undersecretary-general in charge of humanitarian affairs of UN and Uzumuri Director-general of OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) conveyed their sympathy on Zhouqu Landslide-stricken victims to the Chinese Government and Chinese People. On August 15th, Shanghai Expo Garden canceled all the public entertainment activities and halted its regular music broadcast and the flags were lowered to half-mast.

Hong Kong and Macau both joined the national mourning for the victims: Hong Kong s Large Permanent Light and Sound Show Symphony of Lights was suspended, Macau paused all public entertainments and flags were lowered to half-mast.