On the morning of March 16^th (local time), a gas explosion occurred in a coal mine at Zonguldak in northern Turkey, causing the death of 5 Chinese miners employed by China Coal Construction Group Corp.

Giving high priority to the accident, Premier Wen Jiabao immediately ordered the Chinese Embassy in Turkey to carefully deal with the aftermath and asked the embassy to pass his condolences to the victims in the tragedy. State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan also made important instructions.

The Chinese Embassy in Turkey has arranged the Counselor for Political Affairs and other officials to go to the accident site at the earliest possible time to deal with aftermath in line with the requirements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The five deceased miners have been identified.