IRELAND:A MOURNING ceremony for the thousands of earthquake victims in China was held at the University of Limerick yesterday.
More than 100 Chinese people are studying at the university and students of all nationalities were invited to take part in the service, which took place at the campus's contemplative centre.
Students lit candles during the special ceremony, held as China observes three days of mourning, which began at 2.28pm on Monday, exactly one week after the devastating earthquake hit Wechaun County in Sichuan Province. The death toll is estimated to be 34,000 but this figure is expected to rise with thousands more people still missing.
Thousands of homes, houses, buildings and schools were destroyed and hundreds of children were engulfed in mudslides.
"We, the Chinese students at the University of Limerick, appealed to everyone on campus and in Limerick to pray for the victims, and pray for the people who have suffered and are suffering from this huge loss," said Guixue Song, of the college's Chinese Student and Scholar Association.
"At this most difficult time, China and Chinese people need your support, to comfort their loss and wounds, to get through this massive natural disaster. Your prayers and support are invaluable for us and the people who are suffering."
Those who attended yesterday's special service observed a three-minute silence for the victims. Afterwards mourners were invited to light a candle and share their thoughts on the disaster.
