After learning that nine Chinese nationals were slain in a militant attack at a gold mine outside of the capital, Bangui, the Chinese embassy in the Central African Republic encouraged its residents to stay inside Bangui.
In a statement sent on Sunday, the embassy claimed there had been numerous “vicious” security events involving foreign mining company employees in the region, and Chinese nationals who were still outside of Bangui were urged to leave right away.
According to a report from Agence France-Presse, nine Chinese nationals were slain by armed men in an attack on a mine operated by the Gold Coast Group, 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the town of Bambari.
“We have counted nine bodies and two wounded,” the mayor of Bambari, Abel Matchipata, told newsmen. The attack happened around 5 a.m. (0300 GMT), he added.
A security source confirmed the toll and the nationality of the victims, according to reports.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “severe punishment” of the perpetrators in accordance to the law, and said the safety of Chinese citizens must be ensured, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The Chinese embassy advised Chinese institutions and citizens not to travel outside of Bangui due to the security dangers and advised them to get in touch with the embassy in case of an emergency in order to obtain consular assistance.
Apart from the capital, the Central African Republic‘s security risk level was “red,” or extremely high, the Chinese foreign ministry noted.
The ministry announced that it would cooperate with African governments and advise Chinese embassies and consulates on how to adequately protect Chinese nationals and businesses there.
Recently, there have been a number of attacks on Chinese nationals living overseas, leading embassies to issue safety alerts, perform evacuations, and issue warnings.