Children's Day a grim reminder of parents' painful loss in quake

Nearly three weeks after the earthquake, parents who lost children in the collapse of the Juyuan High School are still coming to the site every day to burn paper money in tribute or simply to look at the ruins.

'Many students' parents come every day to have a look. It gives a little comfort,' said Zhang Xianqing, who lost his 14-year-old son.

The grief and anger hasn't abated, and the marking of Children's Day today will remind them of their loss. Parents from at least one of the schools affected have threatened protests, while others said they would gather on the holiday.

Despite a government pledge to investigate why thousands of school classrooms were destroyed by the earthquake, parents want fast justice as they accuse local officials of corruption and shoddy construction.

Three buildings of the Juyuan school collapsed like dominoes, witnesses said. On Friday, another body was found in the ruins, which are now dotted with funeral wreaths. 'We want an investigation and, if people are found responsible, they should be severely punished,' Mr Zhang said.

Representatives of the parents of more than 260 students killed have met education officials from Dujiangyan city , which administers the town, but have yet to receive a satisfactory answer, he said.