Yangtze ship disaster death toll tops 432 with 10 missing as relatives mourn on seventh day
Family members burn offerings along Yangtze River near where the Eastern Star capsized
Family members of those who died in the Eastern Star disaster and rescue workers bowed in mourning towards the battered cruise ship yesterday, the seventh day of a tragedy that has killed at least 432 passengers and left another 10 missing.
In addition to a government-held ceremony, some family members of the dead performed their own rituals. On the northern bank of the Yangtze River in Yanpu village, Jianli county in Hubei province, about three dozen relatives wailed in grief under an overcast sky.
The boat capsized in stormy weather last Monday night, and yesterday was - the seventh day after death. It is traditionally believed this is the day the departed overcome the initial confusion after death and return to bid farewell to their family.
Watch: Survivor expresses grief at loss of travel companion in China's Yangtze river cruise ship disaster
Family members arrived at the riverside in one group after another, under the direction of government workers from Jianli county. Dozens of white chrysanthemums were thrown into the water. Relatives burned incense, ghost money and other offerings, wishing their loved ones well. Bouquets, bowls of rice and fruit were scattered for kilometres along the bank, while the smell of incense lingered in the air.
More than 10km downstream, hundreds of rescuers and government officials bowed in mourning towards the Eastern Star during a three-minute silence at about 9am.
Until now, I couldn’t believe this had happened to me and my family
A military doctor, who has been at the site since Tuesday, said he had never seen so many bodies carried from the scene of a tragedy in just a few days. He has helped rescue operations for 30 years and assisted the response to major earthquakes in the mainland's west.
"The bodies were all soaked with water, which had filled their stomachs. They were so much heavier than normal bodies. At first we deployed four people to carry one body on the stretcher, but it wasn't enough. Later we deployed six, and in the end eight," he said.
"Until now, I couldn't believe this had happened to me and my family. I hope it will never happen to others. Only we ourselves can understand this kind of pain," said a woman, whose 65-year-old father was among the dead.
