China came to a standstill for three minutes Monday as the public mourned the tens of thousands of victims of last Monday's powerful earthquake.

Across the country, air raid sirens and car, train and ship horns blared at 2:28 p.m. (0628 UTC) to mark the exact time the 7.9 earthquake struck Sichuan province seven days ago, killing more than 34,000 people.

Authorities expect the final death toll could be above 50,000.

Today's three minute pause is part of three days of mourning for quake victims during which China has suspended the Olympic torch relay. Internet Web sites have also been ordered to shut down entertainment content, and public recreational activities have been canceled.

As China mourned today, the official Xinhua news agency reports that a mudslide in the disaster area buried more than 200 relief workers. No details were given.

Although the number of those found alive has been shrinking day by day, Chinese media report that at least two more people were pulled out of the rubble alive today.

Xinhua says that three counties in China (Beichuan, Maoxian, and Wolong) are still without power, but most have restored communications lines. Hard-hit Beichuan county is still relying on emergency communication vehicles.

In other developments, two U.S. Air Force transport aircraft loaded with tents, food and lanterns landed in China - the first assistance from a foreign military since the earthquake.

Supplies are short and China's health care system is struggling to cope with the people who are injured. China announced today that it would accept international medical teams and issued a worldwide appeal for tents.