A general view of the territory of the Listvyazhnaya coal mine, near the town of Belovo in the Kemerovo region, on Nov 26, 2021. More than 50 people were reported to have died on Nov 25 after smoke filled a Siberian coal mine and a rescue effort ended in tragedy. (ROSTISLAV NETISOV / AFP)

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of condolence to Russian President Vladimir Putin over a coal mine accident in Russia that caused heavy casualties.

In his message, Xi said he is shocked to learn that a gas explosion occurred in a coal mine in Belovo, a city in the Kemerovo Region, and caused heavy casualties.

Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, as well as in his own name, expressed deep condolences to the victims and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.