IRNA � Chinese foreign minister in a message extended condolences over the death of Iranian seamen in Sanchi oil tanker accident.


China is also shocked and sad, Wang Yi said in his Monday message to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif adding that China spared no efforts to rescue Iranian crew members.

An Iranian tanker carrying gas condensates collided with a Chinese freight ship in East China waters on Jan 6, and all the 32 members of its crew went missing. Three bodies were later found during a rescue operation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang in a regular press conference on January 15 said �we express our condolences to the victims and sympathy to the bereaved families. We will remain in touch with the Iranian side and properly handle follow-up matters. At the same time, I would like to express my respect and gratitude to all the rescuers who are best examples of bravery and professionalism.�

'The Chinese leaders and government take this maritime traffic accident very seriously, and the general public has been following its development. The competent departments responded very swiftly and has been pulling all-out efforts for search and rescue,� he added.

The 30 Iranian and the two Bangladeshi sailors, who were members of the crew, had unfortunately been killed due to toxic gases and the huge size of the fire which embraced the tanker since the outset of the tragic incident, Head of Ports and Maritime Organization Mohammad Rastad told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday morning.