In pictures

GSBot · April 22, 2010, 2:58am

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686259_009151844-1.jpgPeople across China have observed a day of national mourning for the victims of a powerful earthquake which hit the province of Qinghai last week.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686260_009151679-1.jpgPresident Hu Jintao expressed his “profound condolences” to those who had lost relatives and friends, as flags were lowered in Beijing’s central Tiananmen Square.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686261_009151878-1.jpgOfficials and members of the public laid flowers for the more than 2,000 people now known to have been killed in the remote Himalayan region.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686262_009151880-1.jpgSchools across the country also took part in the tribute, while public entertainment was curtailed for 24 hours as a mark of respect.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686263_009151305-1.jpgIn Hong Kong, where people have donated millions of dollars to help the aid effort, workers on the stock exchange briefly halted their trading.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686264_009151188-1.jpgIn Jiegu, the town worst hit by the 6.9-magnitude quake, rescue workers seaching for the 175 people still missing paused amid the rubble to observe a three-minute silence.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686265_009151592-1.jpgSome of the tens of thousands of military, medical and relief personnel who have flooded into the town also joined local people in bowing their heads in tribute.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686266_009152089-1.jpgChina’s state news agency says 2,064 people are confirmed dead in the disaster and 12,135 were injured.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686267_009152019-1.jpgMonks, who have played a central role in the rescue operation in the largely-Tibetan area, are continuing to carry out funerals as more bodies are found.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47686000/jpg/_47686268_009150924-1.jpgOne Qinghai official said it was time to “wipe our tears off and strive to meet a brighter tomorrow”.

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