Relatives of 20 mainland Chinese killed in the Typhoon Megi-triggered landslides two weeks ago in Taiwan mourned for their loved ones at a memorial ceremony in Taipei Thursday afternoon, though the bodies of most of the deceased have not been found.

Relatives of the missing tourists shed tears on Suao-Hualien Highway, south China's Taiwan, Nov. 4, 2010. Over 40 relative representatives came to the coastal Suao-Hualien Highway on Thursday to mourn for their family members who were confirmed dead or still missing after the typhoon-triggered landslides on Oct. 21. The disaster has left three dead including one mainland tourist Gong Yan, and 23 others missing, including 19 mainland tourists. (Xinhua/He Junchang)
Pictures of the 20 hung up high in a line along the front wall of the funeral home's memorial hall, with fresh flowers strung around them.

Man Hongwei, secretary-general of the mainland's Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association, said after the ceremony that the relatives of the deceased had been in the island for more than ten days.

Man spoke on behalf of the relative saying "We spent the past days in waiting and anguish. What we get is such heart-breaking result today. We are all in deep sorrow."

Man expressed gratitude to Taiwan's tourism counterparts especially volunteers who had accompanied the relatives during their stay in the island.

Chiang Pin-Kung, chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), also attended Thursday's ceremony.

The deadly landslides on Oct. 21 on the island's eastern coastal Suao-Hualien Highway have left 20 mainland people dead.

The remains of one of the tourists Gong Yan were recovered in the sea off Ilan County on Oct. 25, and DNA tests confirmed her identity last Thursday. Her remains were cremated Tuesday. And local prosecutor's office in Ilan issued death certificates for the other 19 people who remained missing Wednesday according to relevant laws.

The relatives went to the collapsed sections of the highway Thursday morning to take a final glance at the place where their loved ones disappeared.

The relatives of the deceased are scheduled to leave the island Friday, said Yao Ta-kuang, chairman of the island's Travel Agent Association.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet