Updated
Events have been held in Canada to mark one week since a freight train carrying huge amounts of oil derailed and exploded, destroying a large area of the Quebec town of Lac-Megantic.
A church bell in the village rang 50 times for each person believed to have died.
Canadian police say 33 bodies have been found, but only nine have so far been identified.
Another 17 people are missing and presumed dead and the search for their bodies continues.
In an emotional noon ceremony, the bell at Saint Agnes church rang 50 times, followed by a minute of silence and the release of a dozen white doves from the church steps.
A group of mourners held hands to form a long human chain, couples embraced and many cried quietly, all heads down.
The incident is one of the worst train accidents in Canadian history.
"It's complete desolation for all," said Genevieve, who knew three of the deceased.
"Church is where we come to find peace, there are no words to describe this region's suffering."
Mourners were given heart-shaped pieces of paper to leave messages at the shrine at the altar.
One read: "You are strong and united. You will find it in you to forgive."
Candlelight vigils were held in Montreal and other cities and villages across the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec on Friday night.
High school teacher Dominique Bordeleau, said she recognised two of her former students among the photos placed at the shrine at a vigil in Montreal.
"It really sinks in what happened when you see these pictures," she said. "It reaches deep into you, it's devastating."
Lac-Megantic mayor Colette Roy-Laroche is asking the provincial government to delay upcoming mayoral elections for two years.
Municipal elections are scheduled for November, but Ms Roy-Laroche said the council should devote its attention to reconstruction instead of campaigning.
The runaway train of 72 cars carrying crude oil had been parked uphill in the nearby town of Nantes, when its brakes failed and it started moving toward Lac-Megantic.
The train gained speed and eventually jumped the tracks in the heart of town near a packed cafe bar. The accident is likely to spur changes in Canadian railway regulations.
There is already debate about the merits of sending crude by rail, which is being used more because of capacity limits on pipelines.
Canada's Transportation Safety Board and local police investigating the accident are focusing on whether the hand brakes had been set correctly.
Reuters
Topics: rail, emergency-incidents, canada
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