China begins three days of mourning

May 19 - Flags fly half mast as China mourns the victims of the quake.

Sirens wailed as China paused in grief on Monday (19 May, 2008) as the country began three days of mourning for the tens of thousands of victims of the earthquake that struck a week ago in Sichuan.Public entertainment has been suspended and flags kept at half-mast.

In Chengdu - the largest city in the main earthquake zone - a bouquet of white flowers laid on steps in the central Tianfu Square has a note which reads: "Victims, farewell - from Citizens, 2008-5-19."