On April 28, 2008, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a letter of condolence to Chinese President Hu Jintao over the railroad accident in Shandong province, eastern China. In his letter, Putin expressed his deep sympathy and sincere condolences over the railroad accident that caused huge casualties in Shandong province on April 28. He asked President Hu to relay his condolences to the relatives of those who died in the trains colliding accident and also wished the swiftest recovery to all those injured. Putin also expressed readiness to provide assistance in dealing with the aftermath of the accident.