Wenchuan earthquake: What happened to the 'frightened girl'?

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During the devastating 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, a photo of a frightened young girl snuggled up to a family member, became a widely-remembered moment from the event, circulating widely on Chinese media.

Wang was still frightened one week after the earthquake. /VCG Photo

Ten years later, the young girl in the photo, Wang Ruyu, has turned 14 and is currently an excellent junior high school student who always comes in first in her grade.

Fourteen-year-old Wang is currently an excellent student in a middle school in Sichuan Province. /VCG Photo

The once frightened little girl has grown into an energetic teenager. Speaking of the disastrous earthquake, Wang said the iconic photo that captured her frightened look after the earthquake was carefully preserved at home.

Ten years ago, the four-year-old was playing in the backyard of her kindergarten, when the earthquake came with no warning. The building suddenly collapsed after much shaking, and the welter of dust soon covered her body.

Fortunately, Wang’s family all survived the earthquake, despite losing their home and belongings.

Wang's family in the ruins after the earthquake. /VCG Photo

One week after the earthquake, Wang was still frightened and had not yet recovered from the disaster, when the photographer captured her fear.

Ten years later, Wang’s life is already back on track and the traumatic memory of the earthquake has gradually faded away. The 14-year-old girl now comes in at the top in her class and is also one of the top students in her school.

Wang’s life is already backed on track./ VCG Photo