Vucic extends condolences to China over fireworks factory tragedy

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic extended condolences on Tuesday to the families of the victims of a deadly fireworks factory explosion in China and to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"It is with great sadness and sincere regret that I received the news of the tragic explosion at a fireworks factory in the People's Republic of China. Serbia and China are connected by a sincere and steely friendship, confirmed in times of joy, but also in times of grief. Our people sympathise deeply with the people of China and offer them full support, in the confidence that they will overcome this tragedy, too, through the power of togetherness," Vucic posted on X.

He added that, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia and on his own behalf, he extended the deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to President Xi Jinping.

"We share their pain and we stand with them in these difficult moments. I wish a speedy and successful recovery to those injured," Vucic wrote in the post.

Serbian PM Djuro Macut has also extended condolences.

Local authorities have reported that Monday's explosion at a fireworks factory in China's central Hunan province killed 26 people and injured 61 others.