President Mohamed Muizzu has sent a message of condolence to Xi Jinping following the deadly gas explosion at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi Province, China.
In his message, President Muizzu expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, which claimed dozens of lives and left many others injured.
On behalf of the government and people of the Maldives, the President extended condolences to the bereaved families as well as to the Chinese government and its people.
He also conveyed solidarity with China during what he described as a difficult period of grief and mourning, while wishing strength and resilience to those affected by the disaster and success in the ongoing rescue efforts.
According to Chinese authorities, at least 82 people were killed in the explosion, while two others remain missing.
The gas blast occurred Friday evening at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in northern China’s Shanxi Province, which is known as one of the country’s major coal-producing regions.
Chinese officials stated that 247 workers were reportedly on duty at the time of the explosion, with more than 100 individuals rescued from the site following the incident.
Authorities also confirmed that 128 people are currently receiving medical treatment, including two individuals said to be in critical condition.
President Xi Jinping called for every possible effort to rescue survivors and treat the injured, while Chinese authorities announced that a full investigation would be launched into the disaster.
The explosion has been described as China’s deadliest mining disaster since 2009.
