Cuba Attends Tribute to Earthquake Victims in China

Cuba and several nations participated today in a tribute to the victims of the earthquake that shook Wenchuan county, in southwest China, on May 12, 2008.

Cuban Consul William Silva told Prensa Latina that the ceremony included a minute of silence in front of the monument to the 90,000 victims killed or missing of the eight-magnitude eathquake, which is considered the worst in four decades.

In addition to the Cuban presence, the official said, the tribute brought together ambassadors and diplomats from countries like Russia, Senegal, Spain, Nepal, Vietnam and Iceland, among others.

Each representative laid a wreath at the memorial, built with fragments of one of the many buildings that collapsed due to the impact of the telluric movement.

Silva stated that authorities from the Communist Party of China and the local government appreciated the support provided by 61 States during the tragedy.

Cuba sent a brigade of doctors, nurses and other health specialists who provided assistance to the survivors for several days.