Following a week of intensive search and rescue operation, Chinese rescuers and officials on Saturday mourned the victims who lost their lives during the landslide in an industrial park at Shenzhen.

With all their tools and equipment held down, the rescuers listened as excavators and other vehicles honked in memory of those who passed away. The rescuers also laid down and scattered white flowers across the rubble where 33 buildings were toppled. 

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Saturday marks the seventh day that the tragic incident occured. Chinese mourning rituals and ceremony were performed accordingly in honor of the souls of those who passed away. 

Despite their rigorous effort, only one survivor has been found on one of the roofs of a toppled building. The confirmed number of deaths is at seven with 75 more people missing. Even though the chance of survival is already slim, rescue work at the 380,000 square meter debris-covered site is still ongoing.

"I hope the dead can rest in peace. I also hope this brings some comfort to the families of the missing," one of the rescuers said. 

State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) chief Yang Huanning has said that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted and justice will be sought for those whose innocent lives were taken.

The investigation of the Shenzhen landslide will be spearheaded by the SAWS. The State Council Investigation team claims the incident is the result of man-made error and not a natural, geological disaster. "The investigation will start immediately. Those responsible for the incident will be seriously punished in accordance with laws and regulations," the investigation team stated.

TagsChinese rituals, remembering the dead, landslide, man-made disaster