• Nine Chinese nationals were killed in a terrorist attack at a gold mine outside the city.
• China residents who remained outside Bangui were asked to leave immediately.
• A security source confirmed the death toll and nationalities of the victims.

The Chinese embassy in the Central African Republic has advised its residents to avoid traveling outside the capital, Bangui, following reports that nine Chinese nationals were killed in a terrorist attack at a gold mine outside the city.

The embassy claimed in a statement on Sunday that there had been many “vicious” security events against foreign mining workers in the area, and China residents who remained outside Bangui were asked to leave immediately.

According to the sources, armed men killed nine Chinese nationals in an attack on a Gold Coast Group mine 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the town of Bambari on Sunday.

“We have counted nine bodies and two wounded,” the mayor of Bambari, Abel Matchipata, told sources. The attack happened around 5 a.m. (0300 GMT), he added.

‘Severe punishment’

According to authorities, a security source confirmed the death toll and nationalities of the victims.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “severe punishment” of the criminals in accordance with the law, and has stated that the protection of Chinese citizens must be safeguarded.

Given the security dangers, the Chinese embassy advised Chinese institutions and residents not to travel outside of Bangui and, in the event of an emergency, to call the embassy for consular assistance.

Apart from the capital, the Central African Republic’s security risk level was “red,” or very high, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

The ministry stated that it would collaborate with governments and advise Chinese embassies and consulates on additional effective steps to completely protect Chinese citizens and businesses in Africa.

Many attacks on Chinese nationals abroad have occurred in recent months, leading embassies to issue warnings and safety alerts, as well as perform evacuations.

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