外交部回应山东威海校车事故

周三，外交部表示中国领导已经对相关部门发出指示，协助处理周二发生的山东威海校车事故。中国北部沿海城市威海一校车经过一隧道时发生交通事故并导致车辆起火，包括11名幼儿园学生在内的12人死亡。

The Chinese leadership has issued instructions for relevant departments and localities to help deal with the aftermath of the deadly Tuesday traffic accident in Weihai, Shandong province, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

Twelve people, including 11 kindergarten pupils, were killed when a school bus crashed and then burst into flames as it traveled through a tunnel in the coastal city in northern China.

Of the 11 children, who were aged between three and six, five were from the Republic of Korea and six were Chinese nationals. They were all pupils at an international kindergarten in Weihai, Xinhua quoted local authorities as saying.

"The Chinese side is in communication with the ROK through diplomatic channels" and will help with any issues to be resolved, said a written statement issued on the ministry's website.

Members of the ministry's staff have been assigned to provide comfort and assist the families of the dead, the statement said.

Shandong province and Weihai city launched contingency response plans immediately after the crash, and leading local officials went to the site and guided operations by relevant departments, it said.

相关英语新闻：

英语新闻：威海校车事故致中韩儿童遇难