Mourning ceremony in Hong Kong for Chinese whistleblower doctor Li Wenlian
Mourners pay their respect to Chinese doctor Li Wenliang during a mourning ceremony in Hong Kong, China, 07 February 2020.
Mainland health officials have confirmed the death of Li, who was one of the first to raise concerns about the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, before contracting the infection himself. Li was silenced by police after trying weeks ago to raise the alarm about the new coronavirus.
There was confusion earlier as the Wuhan hospital which treated Dr Li contradicted state media and said the opthalmologist was in a critical condition, but the state-run Global Times confirmed his death.
The hospital has since said it “deeply regrets and mourns” Dr Li’s death.
Dr Li raised the alarm about novel coronavirus on 30 December when he sent a message to his medical school alumni group warning them to wear protective clothing.
But he and seven others were accused of “rumour-mongering” by Wuhan police who tried to silence him.
