ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: The Chinese embassy in the Central African Republic urged its citizens to avoid traveling outside Bangui after nine Chinese were killed in a militant attack at a gold mine in the Bambari region.
Chinese people still outside Bangui
The Chinese embassy said on Sunday that there had been several “vicious” security incidents against employees of foreign mining enterprises in the region. It asked the Chinese people still outside Bangui to evacuate immediately.
Bambari mayor said armed men killed nine Chinese citizens in the attack on a mine run by the Chinese Gold Coast Group, 25 kilometres from Bambari.
“We have counted nine bodies and two injured,” the mayor of Bambari, Abel Matchipata, said. The attack occurred at around 5:00 am, he said.
A security source confirmed the toll and the nationality of the victims.
Because of the high-security risks, the embassy warned Chinese institutions and people not to travel outside Bangui and contact the embassy in case of emergency to seek consular protection.
On Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry said that the high-security risk level in the Central African Republic, apart from the Bangui, was red and very high.
The ministry said it would work with governments and guide Chinese consulates and embassies to take further effective measures to fully safeguard Chinese nationals and enterprises in Africa.
There have been many attacks on Chinese nationals abroad in recent months, prompting embassies to problem warnings and safety alerts, and evacuations.
