32 Chinese Citizens Killed in Bus Accident in North Korea

On Monday, April 22, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that 32 Chinese nationals and four North Korean citizens were killed when a bus carrying Chinese tourists fell off a bridge in North Korea, and the condition of two injured Chinese tourists is critical. According to an assessment by the South Korean Maritime Institute, 80% of tourists traveling to North Korea are Chinese citizens, and the annual revenue from North Korea's tourism industry is approximately $44 million. The Chinese Foreign Ministry added that diplomats from China have visited the accident site in the Hwanghae province of North Korea. China's state television aired footage of the damaged bus that had overturned, recorded in dark and rainy conditions. The report also showed one of the injured victims receiving treatment in a hospital. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry told reporters that, since investigations into the accident are still ongoing, no further information can be provided. The President of China has requested that the Foreign Ministry and its embassy in North Korea utilize 'all necessary resources' to deal with the incident. Reuters adds that the Chinese Ministry of Health also announced in a separate statement that it would send a team of medical specialists along with medicine and equipment to North Korea to assist the injured. Kaesong, one of the ancient capitals of Korea and a major tourist attraction, is located in Hwanghae province near the border with South Korea. North Korea is a popular tourist destination among Chinese citizens, especially those living in the northeastern part of the country. The Chinese government announced in 2012 that over 237,000 people from the country had traveled to North Korea, but it stopped publishing these statistics in 2013. China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic supporter, although Beijing is angered by North Korea's continued nuclear and missile tests and has supported severe UN sanctions against the country. The governments of North Korea and South Korea are in the final stages of preparing for a historic meeting between the leaders of the two countries.