The memorial service began at exactly the same time as the killing. At 9:00 GMT last Friday, 19 year old Robert Steinhauser shot dead 13 teachers, two students, a police officer and himself in what is regarded as the country’s worst post-war massacre.

Some hundred thousand mourners took place in the memorial ceremony on Friday. Thousands of pupils from schools in the state of Thuringia stood huddled together in the pouring rain, and mourned for their fellow pupils who were literally slaughtered in the tragic rampage.

German president Johannes Rau (photo, right), Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (photo, left) and ambassadors from 30 different countries joined students and teachers from the Gutenberg secondary school for the ceremony, which was held in Erfurt’s mediaeval town square.

Sixteen candles - one for each of the victims - burned in front of the cathedral as many in the crowd wept and clutched flowers.

Speaking in front of a 10 metre (30 foot) high white cross in front of Erfurt's gothic cathedral state governor Bernhard Vogel, said "Germany is in mourning, and the world is shocked. This deed has struck wounds that will never heal completely."

Under schock

Germany is still under schock after Robert Steinhauser ran amok in his former school last week, killing 17, including himself.

Referring to the sheer brutality of the killing, President Rau said: "We don’t understand this act. In the end we will never be able to explain what happened".

But he also referred to the killer himself: "Everyone is valuable due to what he is, and not due to his abilities", he said. No one should ignore those who drift from reality to the fantasy world of computers and media.

Sorrow and anger

A pupil at the Gutenberg High School, the scene of the bloodbath, said the teachers who were shot were friends and confidants . "An emptiness has taken hold in our hearts".

Six days on, the steps to Erfurt’s cathedral are still full of flowers, wreaths and candles. More come each day. Old and young flock to the church to express their sorrow.

But also their anger. Next to cards with words such as "We mourn for the dead", are also those which say "Robert S., I hate you for this deed".

In the months to come, the shock and hate will slowly fade as friends and relatives of the victims struggle to find answers to questions such as that of a little girl: "Dear Dad, why did it have to be you?"