30 deceased in forest fire honored as martyrs

The government of Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province announced Thursday will be a day of mourning for those who died fighting a recent forest fire. No public entertainment activities will be held on Thursday, the government said.

Flags in Xichang city and Muli county were lowered to half-mast on Thursday to mourn the 30 people - most of them firefighters - who died while putting out a large blaze in the Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture's Muli county.

29 bodies have been transported to Xichang. The relatives of one victim wanted him to be buried where he died.

The 30 victims have been recognized as martyrs. The recognition is approved by the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Sichuan provincial government.