Car horns to signal period of public mourning for Sichuan quake victims
All entertainment activities throughout the province would be halted in public places on Saturday
A period of public mourning will be observed on Saturday for those who died in a 7.0-magnitude quake that jolted Lushan County in Sichuan Province on April 20.
It will begin with all transportation vehicles sounding their sirens at 8:02 a.m., the time the devastating earthquake hit. A silent tribute will follow and last 3 minutes, according to the notice.
The provincial government issued a notice that all entertainment activities throughout the province would be halted in public places on Saturday.
The strong earthquake has claimed nearly 200 lives and destroyed about 126,000 homes, according to official figures.
On Friday the rescue effort was continuing.
On Thursday evening a 78-year-old man was rescued “on a hilltop” in Muping township, in Baoxing County, Xinhua said.
“The man suffered a rib fracture but is in a stable condition,” the report said, adding that he was taken to Baoxing People’s Hospital by helicopter.
The state news agency said he was the first person to be rescued since the crucial first 72-hours after the earthquake, which the US Geological Survey registered at magnitude 6.6.
Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless after the quake struck Saturday morning, causing widespread devastation in Sichuan province.
Rescue teams have been hampered by blocked roads caused by landslides and traffic congestion in their hunt for survivors.
