Ambassador Martin Mpana, Cameroonians and friends raised the flag at half mast on October 24, 2016, in Beijing and observed a minute of silence in honour of the departed compatriots.

Cameroonians resident in Chinese capital, Beijing, as well as friends of the country have joined their hearts with others elsewhere to pray for a peaceful repose of the souls of compatriots who perished at last Friday’s train derailment at Eseka and for a speedy recovery for the injured still under medical treatment.

In respect of the Head of State’s decree declaring Monday October 24 as a Day of National Mourning and in honour of the train accident victims, they all turned up at the country’s embassy at the Sanlitun neigbourhood of Beijing – clad in mourning attires and wearing gloomy faces, to show their solidarity with the affected.

As early as 9 am Beijing time (2 am Cameroon time), Ambassador Martin Mpana, the entire staff of the embassy, Cameroonians resident in Beijing and friends were already at the courtyard of the embassy for a brief but very symbolic ceremony to condole with the victims. After the reading of the presidential decree declaring a Day of National Mourning, raising the flag at half mast; as is the tradition in sorrowful situations of this magnitude, the Ambassador delivered the embassy’s condolence message to the Eseka train derailment victims.

He observed that distance is no barrier and even thousands of miles away from home, they all share the pains and sorrows of the entire country. “Our thoughts go first to victims of this horrible accident. May the God of mercy hear our prayers and comfort the families and our nation at this challenging moment,” H.E Martin Mpana said in the condolence message. The press declaration of the Head of State at the Nsimalen international airport on October 23 was printed and shared out to attendees and all and sundry urged to observe the day in all its solemnity either at work or even at home.