Quake-leveled China county opens to mourners

Source: Xinhua | 04-02-2009 13:10

BEICHUAN, Sichuan, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The barbed wire around Beichuan's old county seat was gone.

Most mourners brought incense, candles and bouquet to the  ruins of former schools, homes and offices, shed tears,  and spent a few hours with the deceased.

The county that perished in last year's devastating earthquake reopened Wednesday morning to former residents who wished to mourn the dead ahead of the annual tomb sweeping day that falls on Saturday.

Beichuan County, which has been closed since May 20 last year, will be open for four days until Saturday.

The mourning crowd began pouring into the dead county at 7 a.m. Policemen checked everyone's ID to make sure only natives of Beichuan were allowed into the county.

Most mourners brought incense, candles and bouquet to the ruins of former schools, homes and offices, shed tears, and spent a few hours with the deceased.