A day of mourning for nation

Flags flew at half mast across Germany yesterday as the numbed nation mourned the 15 mainly women victims of a teenage gunman in a picturesque town.

Hundreds of candles were left outside the school in Winnenden where 17-year-old Tim Kretschmer picked off nine teenagers and three teachers before killing three other people in the town then turned the gun on himself after he was surrounded by police.

Churches were packed for special services held late Wednesday and dozens of people held a vigil outside the school on what Chancellor Angela Merkel called "a day of mourning for all of Germany."