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China mourns earthquake victims China mourns earthquake victims
(30 minutes later)
China has begun three days of mourning for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province.China has begun three days of mourning for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province.
Flags are flying at half-mast and at 1428 (0628 GMT) a nationwide silence was observed to mark exactly a week since the earthquake struck.Flags are flying at half-mast and at 1428 (0628 GMT) a nationwide silence was observed to mark exactly a week since the earthquake struck.
The number of confirmed deaths now stands at 32,477, but officials say the final toll may reach 50,000. More than 220,000 people have been injured. More than 71,000 people are dead, buried or missing following the earthquake, state media said. More than 220,000 people have been injured.
Meanwhile state media reported 200 aid workers had been buried by a mudslide. Meanwhile 200 aid workers were reported buried by a mudslide.
The mourning comes as hopes fade of finding many more earthquake survivors. The mourning comes as hopes fade of finding many more earthquake survivors. The total number of confirmed dead stands at 32,476.
On Monday, two more women were pulled from the rubble, but the focus of the relief effort is now shifting towards providing food, medical care and shelter for the millions of survivors of Monday's 7.9 magnitude earthquake.On Monday, two more women were pulled from the rubble, but the focus of the relief effort is now shifting towards providing food, medical care and shelter for the millions of survivors of Monday's 7.9 magnitude earthquake.
Strong aftershocks are continuing to shake the region, hampering the rescue effort.Strong aftershocks are continuing to shake the region, hampering the rescue effort.
On Sunday, a tremor with a magnitude of 6.0 killed three people and injured 1,000 more in Jiangyou city, in Sichuan province's Mianyang County. Thousands ran from their homes into the streets in panic, reports said.On Sunday, a tremor with a magnitude of 6.0 killed three people and injured 1,000 more in Jiangyou city, in Sichuan province's Mianyang County. Thousands ran from their homes into the streets in panic, reports said.
Continuing heavy rain in Sichuan is also raising fears of new flooding and landslides.Continuing heavy rain in Sichuan is also raising fears of new flooding and landslides.
Trading haltTrading halt
The BBC's Quentin Somerville in Beichuan says this is the first time China has marked an occasion like this for its people.
At a dawn ceremony in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, soldiers raised the national flag and then lowered it to half-mast to mark the start of official mourning.At a dawn ceremony in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, soldiers raised the national flag and then lowered it to half-mast to mark the start of official mourning.
Uncertain times for survivorsLife in tent cityUncertain times for survivorsLife in tent city
All public entertainment has been cancelled and presenters on state television wore black.All public entertainment has been cancelled and presenters on state television wore black.
At 1428, people across the country fell silent for three minutes as air-raid sirens and car horns sounded. At 1428, people across the country fell silent for three minutes as air-raid sirens wailed.
The BBC's Michael Bristow in Beichuan reported that vehicles across the city sounded their car horns to mark the event.
Rescue workers laid wreaths outside the town school, while, beside the mourners, bodies lay waiting to be buried.
Trading at stock exchanges halted while the silence was observed.Trading at stock exchanges halted while the silence was observed.
China has also suspended the Olympic torch relay during the three-day mourning period.China has also suspended the Olympic torch relay during the three-day mourning period.
On Sunday, Chinese President Hu Jintao expressed gratitude for the international help with relief efforts.On Sunday, Chinese President Hu Jintao expressed gratitude for the international help with relief efforts.
"I express heartfelt thanks to the foreign governments and international friends," Mr Hu was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency."I express heartfelt thanks to the foreign governments and international friends," Mr Hu was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.
Offers of help in the relief effort from home and abroad have now surpassed $860m (£440m), Chinese officials say.Offers of help in the relief effort from home and abroad have now surpassed $860m (£440m), Chinese officials say.
QUAKE STATISTICS Up to Sunday 18 May: 32,477 dead220,109 injured145 aftershocks above level 4, 23 above level 5, biggest 6.1 34,000 medical staff in quake zone181,460 tents, 220,000 quilts despatched6bn Chinese yuan ($860m, £440m) received in donations, from China and abroadDrinking water for 7m people restored Source: Chinese government In pictures: Beichuan evacuationSee a detailed map of quake zone QUAKE STATISTICS Up to Sunday 18 May: 32,476 dead9,509 buried and 29,418 missing in Sichuan province220,109 injured145 aftershocks above level 4, 23 above level 5, biggest 6.1 34,000 medical staff in quake zone181,460 tents, 220,000 quilts despatched6bn Chinese yuan ($860m, £440m) received in donations, from China and abroadDrinking water for 7m people restored Source: Chinese government In pictures: Beichuan evacuationSee a detailed map of quake zone
The first aid supplied by the US has arrived, with an air force plane loaded with tents, lanterns and 15,000 meals landing in Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu.The first aid supplied by the US has arrived, with an air force plane loaded with tents, lanterns and 15,000 meals landing in Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu.
But on its website, China's foreign ministry appealed to the international community for more tents, in what correspondents say is an indication of the magnitude of the problems faced in housing the homeless.But on its website, China's foreign ministry appealed to the international community for more tents, in what correspondents say is an indication of the magnitude of the problems faced in housing the homeless.
However, a British rescue team standing by in Hong Kong is returning home after being refused permission to travel to the earthquake zone.However, a British rescue team standing by in Hong Kong is returning home after being refused permission to travel to the earthquake zone.
There are still stories of survivors being pulled from the rubble.There are still stories of survivors being pulled from the rubble.
A week on from the earthquake, an elderly woman was rescued in Beichuan county suffering from an infection and many broken bones, state media said, while another was extracted from a collapsed residential building in Deyang city.A week on from the earthquake, an elderly woman was rescued in Beichuan county suffering from an infection and many broken bones, state media said, while another was extracted from a collapsed residential building in Deyang city.
But other stories illustrated how hopes for those still trapped are fading fast.But other stories illustrated how hopes for those still trapped are fading fast.
On Sunday, video pictures emerged of a man wedged under fallen masonry. He was still alive, and was lent a phone to speak to his wife.On Sunday, video pictures emerged of a man wedged under fallen masonry. He was still alive, and was lent a phone to speak to his wife.
"I don't hold out much hope of surviving," he told her."I don't hold out much hope of surviving," he told her.
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The rescue operation continuesThe rescue operation continues
Rescuers later managed to extract him, but not in time to save his life.Rescuers later managed to extract him, but not in time to save his life.
Persistent rain is compounding the misery for millions of people made homeless by the quake.Persistent rain is compounding the misery for millions of people made homeless by the quake.
And the weather may deteriorate, with rains turning torrential later in the week, potentially triggering landslides, Chinese forecasters said.And the weather may deteriorate, with rains turning torrential later in the week, potentially triggering landslides, Chinese forecasters said.
On Sunday, the World Health Organization warned that rising temperatures in Sichuan, combined with a lack of clean water and waste disposal, and cramped conditions in makeshift camps, could lead to outbreaks of disease.On Sunday, the World Health Organization warned that rising temperatures in Sichuan, combined with a lack of clean water and waste disposal, and cramped conditions in makeshift camps, could lead to outbreaks of disease.
Are you in the area affected by the earthquake? What are the conditions? Is aid coming through? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below or text your experiences to: +44 7624 800 100
Are you in the area affected by the earthquake? What are the conditions? Is aid coming through? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below or text your experiences to: +44 7624 800 100
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