The Chinese government is deeply concerned about the train explosion in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan Saturday.

A massive explosion took place when two fuel-laden trains collided on Thursday afternoon near a DPRK station in Ryongchon, and many people were killed or injured as a result.

After the accident, Chinese President Hu Jintao has sent a message of condolences to DPRK leader Kim Jong Il to express sympathy of the Communist Party of China, Chinese government and Chinese people, Kong said.

"We expressed our deep condolences to victims of the explosion," he said.

The Chinese government has decided to provide assistance to the DPRK side and the departments concerned have made preparations for necessary treatment of the injured and other assistance, he added.

(Xinhau News Agency April 24, 2004)