China nationally to mourn quake victims Wednesday

BEIJING - China will hold a national day of mourning Wednesday for more than 2,000 victims killed in the devastating 7.1 magnitude quake in northwestern Qinghai province, the government said Tuesday.

The Chinese national flag will fly at half-mast across the country and at its embassies and consulates overseas Wednesday, Xinhua reported quoting the the State Council.

A three-minute silence will be observed and public entertainment will be suspended Wednesday as a mark of respect to the quake victims, the cabinet said in an announcement.

At least 2,046 people have died in the quake, which struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu April 14, while 193 people were still missing, the rescue headquarters said.

The devastating quake has also left 12,135 injured.

Meanwhile, snow continued to fall on the earthquake zone Tuesday, halting traffic and slowing down delivery of relief materials.

In some parts, there was up to four cm snow on the roads, and ice formed on the surface made it dangerous to drive, Ma Yuancang, deputy head of Qinghai provincial meteorology bureau was quoted as saying.

Trucks, vans and cars were lined up on the main national road linking Yushu with the provincial capital of Xining, through which most of the relief goods are being transported into the quake zone.

The weather in Gyegu, the hardest-hit town in Yushu, was overcast Tuesday with some drizzle, while temperatures might fall below freezing point in the coming nights, weather forecasters said.

More than 80 percent of the houses in Gyegu - mostly made of mud and wood - had collapsed during last Wednesday’s quake.