CCTV-9: Sorrow of those left behind

Feature: Sorrow of those left behind
WATCH VIDEO
Source: CCTV.com | 05-20-2008 21:29
Special Report: Strong quake jolts SW China

One week on, people in the quake zone are still traumatized as they try to come to grips with what has happened. While chances of finding survivors are now slim, rescue workers are helping the family members of the victims recover the bodies. Many wish to say a final goodbye to their loved ones. CCTV reporter Han Bin filed this story from Yingxiu, in Wenchuan county.
56-year-old Dong Chenghua returns to the ruins of his home several times every day. His daughter Lulu was killed in the earthquake. She was only 20.

One week later, Dong Chenghua still cannot believe what has happened to him, and keeps reliving how his daughter died.

Dong Chenghua said, "My daughter was walking in front of me, when the floor started to collapse. I fell on the ground. But she was buried under the building."

In Yingxiu, not a single building has been spared. And almost every family has lost one member, some have lost all.

Dong Yiqiang has lost his oldest son. He showed me his house, where the son is now buried.

Dong Yiqiang said, "It was shaking back and forth. I pushed my wife to get out. I ran out and fell down, then got up and fell down again. Then the house began to fall."

The same tragedy was repeated with Dong Tao, the second son of Dong Yiqiang. The earthquake has taken away his son Zewei. The little boy was only 8, a primary school student. Only a few students survived when their building collapsed.

Dong Tao said, "When they told me the school was collapsing, my first thought was that I have lost my son. For he was sitting on the second floor, and could not run out. He was such a great kid."

Six days after the quake, rescue workers reached Dong Yiqiang's house. They came to help the family recover the bodies.

The two fathers have each lost a son. They say they are lucky to be alive; at least they have one another. What they want now is to say goodbye to their loved ones.

Yingxiu is the worst hit towns in Wenchuan county. About one fifth of the population has died. It will take time to rebuild this town, and it will take even more time to heel the psychological wounds. For the villagers, their lives will never be the same.

Dong Chenghua is reluctant to leave. He knows that all these ruins will be cleared away soon, but nothing will ever take away the pain of losing his daughter.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• China
• earthquake