At least nine Chinese nationals were killed and two others wounded Sunday when rebels stormed a Chinese-operated gold mining site in the Central African Republic.
“We have counted nine bodies and two wounded,” said the mayor of Bambari, Abel Matchipata, according to AFP.
Matchipata confirmed that the victims were Chinese workers at a site run by the Gold Coast Group located 25 kilometres (about 16 miles) from his town.
The bodies of the workers have been reportedly transported to the capital, Bangui.
The attack began around 5 a.m. local time when the gunmen reportedly overpowered the site’s guards and opened fire.
Local authorities said they are searching for the assailants.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “severe punishment” for the perpetrators in accordance with the law and said Chinese citizens’ safety must be ensured, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.
In view of the security risks, the Chinese embassy has also warned its citizens not to travel outside Bangui and in case of emergency, to contact the embassy to seek consular protection.
