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The grief behind the mountain
http://www.ecns.cn/2014/08-07/128444.shtml
Aug 7th 2014, 08:32
2014-08-07 17:32 Xinhua Web Editor: Gu Liping
In the rubble of Wang Qingyun's toppled mud house, a green iron chair lies crushed, the surrounding debris entombing his 89-year-old mother and two-year-old granddaughter.
The bodies were retrieved on Monday, 18 hours after the 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Ludian, Yunnan, killing at least 589 people. When they were unearthed, the elder woman was huddled over her great-granddaughter in an effort to protect the child.
"She liked her great-grandmother the most. They could still be together now," Wang said, his voice tinged with pain.
Wang's home is located in Hongshiyan village in Baogunao Township, part of the hard-hit Qiaojia county. The village, with a population of 1,300, is situated on a hill behind several mountains - a 1.5-hour drive plus three-hour walk to the nearest town.
With the cost of transporting bricks and cement from the nearby town unaffordable by most in the impoverished community, many of Hongshiyan's houses are made of earth and clay. They stood little chance of survival against such a powerful quake.
In total, Hongshiyan lost 32 of its residents.
When the earthquake struck 4 days ago, Wang Qingyun's mother and granddaughter were playing in the living room while he and his wife peeled peppers in the yard.
The little girl's parents were in Guangdong province working.
It took moments for the earthquake to destroy their home, taking Wang's world with it.
In a rush to rescue the pair, Wang's wife was struck by wreckage from the crumbling home, suffering minor head injuries.
But injuries did not stop the despairing couple from combing through the debris for almost eight hours with the help of neighbors in hopes of finding their loved ones alive. In the meantime a shocked son and daughter-in-law booked the first available flight home from Guangdong province.
After an exhaustive effort, the bodies were retrieved the next day with help from rescuers who scaled mountains to come to the village's aid.
The yard of Wang's home is now covered in debris to remind him of the family's loss. A pink baby blanket and articles of clothing belonging to the great-grandmother mingle with crushed mud bricks.
During an interview, the girl's father remained detached, breaking his emotional silence only to say "she was really cute," when describing his baby girl.
"She liked visitors and would give out all the best treats to our guests," the 26-year-old said with tear-stained eyes.
The daughter-in-law has not spoken since the earthquake took her child.
As the bustle of recovery efforts filled the village, she remained silent in the sunset, sitting beside the debris, staring at the place which was once filled with family memories.
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