Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    MORE than 72 hours after the landslide in Guangming, relatives of the missing are becoming more desperate as time passes, a counselor at the resettlement center said yesterday.

    The counselor, identified as Jiang Xiaoyu, told the Shenzhen Daily that they had been talking with people evacuated from the disaster area and relatives that rushed to the site to find their loved ones.

    “Many of the people we have talked to are showing signs of depression as they wait for news about their loved ones,” said Jiang.

    Two brothers, one 9 and the other 15, have been staying in the gymnasium since Monday as rescuers look for their parents.

    “The 9-year-old boy doesn’t understand how serious his parents’ situation is. Even worse, he has collected two packs of every relief goods every day for his mother,” said Jiang. Jiang is concerned about how the boy will react if his parents are confirmed dead.

    Jiang said that the 15-year-old understands the situation and just wants to find his parents’ remains if they have been killed.

    Many family members of the missing worry the rescue effort will be called off.

    “The brothers’ uncle said they are afraid the government will stop searching and digging if they can’t find signs that anyone is still alive,” said Jiang.

    According to Jiang, most of the family members are concerned about compensation from the government if their relatives have been killed.

    Jiang said that a woman suffered an emotional breakdown after she arrived in Guangming yesterday from Henan Province. The woman was talking to her younger sister over the phone when the landslide apparently hit the building she was in. The last thing the woman heard was a cry for help.

    “We are worried about this woman because she was depressed after the call with her sister got cut off,” said Jiang.