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Quake Survivors Find Love Among the Ruins

Hundreds remarry in quake-devastated Chinese city

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2009 5:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – A year after the quake that devastated China's Sichuan province, many survivors have new loves if not new homes, the Guardian reports. In Beichuan—where only
4,000 of the town's 22,000 people survived—some 600 widows and widowers have remarried, and the government hopes more will soon follow as the town rebuilds.

Officials warn that life will be far from easy for the new couples, with trauma, grief, and the needs of extended families all putting pressure on the relationships. But many survivors are glad to have a new anchor amid the devastation and the transience of resettlement camps. "Sometimes she talks about her late husband and I mention my late wife," one newlywed said. "We trust each other."

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

A woman cries beside the river in Beichuan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, yesterday. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Jiang Hongjing)

A man sits on the ground in the quake-devasted town of Beichuan, southwestern China's Sichuan province, yesterday. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

People visit the quake-devastated town of Beichuan, southwestern China's Sichuan province, yesterday. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Relatives and residents returning to their quake-devastated town walk past a sign which reads "Heart felt commemoration of the May 12 Major Earthquake victims" in Beichuan, China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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In the older generation, Chinese people didn't remarry after their spouse died. But if you live alone there's no one to talk to and share your thoughts with. My wife lost her son so her hurt is even worse than mine.
- Zhang Yong, a recently remarried survivor

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Quake Survivors Find Love Among the Ruins