YESTERDAY morning, sirens blared and hundreds of people stood in silent tribute to the victims of the deadly chemical plant explosion in East China’s Jiangsu Province.

Wednesday marked the seventh day since the explosion, a key traditional date for people to pay respects to the deceased in China. The explosion has left 78 people dead and more than 600 injured.

“We feel deeply guilty and grieved for the heavy casualties caused by the explosion,” said Dai Yuan, secretary of the Yancheng Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, ahead of the memorial.

“So many people were killed, and those responsible must be held accountable,” said one villager who joined the memorial.

Also, the victims and families affected by the chemical explosion have been provided with legal aid as they seek compensation, as well as psychological counseling for mental recovery, according to the rescue headquarters established after the blast.

Currently, the rescue operation is basically over and the cleanup of debris was under way.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion.

(Xinhua)