China Red Cross expresses sympathy over Japanese train derailment

Jiang Yiman, vice president of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), on Wednesday sent a letter of sympathy to Tadateru Konoe, vice president of the Japanese Red Cross Society on behalf of the RCSC, for the tragic train derailment that took place in Japan on Monday.

"We are shocked to learn that the train derailment in west Japan has caused heavy casualties and great damage for local people. On behalf of the Red Cross Society of China, I would like to express our deep grief to the victims and sincere sympathy for the bereaved," Jiang said.

"We sincerely hope that with the support from Japanese Red Cross Society and the whole country, the people in the afflicted areas and affected families will overcome their difficulties and resume their normal lives as soon as possible," he said.

A seven-carriage train with about 580 passengers aboard derailed at about 9:18 a.m. Monday in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, crashing into a nine-story apartment building.

By Wednesday, the tragedy -- the most serious train accident in Japan in the past four decades -- had left 91 people dead and 456 injured.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi on Monday sent separate messages to Japan on behalf of the Chinese government, expressing grief to the families of the deceased and sympathy to the people who were injured in the accident, Qin said at a regular press conference.