China declares day of mourning after landslide

China declared a national day of mourning for victims of a massive landslide in the remote northwest, as authorities today stressed the importance of hygiene and safety for the thousands now living in temporary shelters.

Chinese flags across the country and at embassies and consulates overseas will be lowered to half-mast on Sunday to commemorate the 1,156 killed in the landslide last weekend, the central government said on its website today.