Nation mourns mudslide dead

China observed a day of mourning for more than 1,200 victims of a mudslide in a northwestern town, while authorities rushed to protect survivors from more flooding.

In a televised memorial service, some 5,000 rescue workers and Zhouqu residents bowed their heads in silence as a siren wailed. State television showed coal miners in northern China and railway workers with their heads bowed in mourning. Cinemas and karaoke parlours were ordered to close.