Learning lessons of deadly river accident is a must

Our deepest sympathy goes to the relatives of the more than 400 passengers who lost their lives in the Yangtze River tragedy on Monday evening.

Sunday, the seventh day after their deaths, according to Chinese tradition, is the day for a ceremony to mourn them.

The fact that most of the passengers on board were elderly people who were on an organized sight-seeing tour along the river has added to the sense of tragedy. They should have been talking to their daughters and sons or grandchildren about how much they enjoyed their tour after the cruise ship arrived in Chongqing. Instead their relatives are deep in sorrow and regretting letting their parents or grandparents set out on their trip of no return.