China holds memorial service for deceased in forest fire

A memorial service was held in Xichang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Thursday morning for 30 people who died while fighting a forest fire.

A firefighter weeps during the mourning ceremony held for 27 forest firefighters and three people from the local fire department killed in a forest fire in Xichang city, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan province, 4 April 2019. [Photo: IC]

Party and state leaders, including President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, Premier Li Keqiang and Vice Premier Han Zheng, sent wreaths to pay their respect.

State Councilor Wang Yong attended the service on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and State Council and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

The 30 people, including 27 firefighters and three locals, were recognized as martyrs by the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Sichuan provincial government.

Wang said the martyrs are "role models in the new era."

More than 3,000 members of the public attended the service.