China mourns quake victims one year after quake

One year ago on this very day, more than 6,000 people in the small town of 16,000 died, including Ma's 12-year-old granddaughter and Hu's 11-year-old grandson.

A child holds a candle during an activity to  commemorate the victims of the fatal May 12,  2008 Wenchuan earthquake, in Zhengzhou, capital  of central China's Henan Province, May 12, 2009.   (Xinhua Photo)

The bespectacled Hu knew well where his grandson rest in the graveyard, but Ma hadn't seen his granddaughter again after the quake, although the man with gray hair firmly believed that she must be somewhere under his feet.

People began entering the graveyard in twos and threes after 7 a.m., many holding chrysanthemums in their hands. Candle light flickered in front of tombstones, tears dripping down cheeks of visitors.

Ma sighed at the scene, while Hu holding a besom murmured "my grandson..."