5 Chinese tourists confirmed dead in traffic accident in New Zealand

The Chinese embassy in New Zealand confirmed Wednesday that five Chinese tourists were dead in a serious bus crash near New Zealand's Rotorua.

Local inspector Brent Crowe told media that altogether 27 people, including the driver and tour guides, were on board, and five have lost their lives.

Survivors from a tourist bus crash walk along the highway in the Mamaku Ranges near Rotorua, New Zealand, Wednesday, Sept. 4. 2019. [Photo: AP/ Rotorua Daily Post /Ben Fraser]

The Chinese embassy announced in a statement that it has launched an emergency response mechanism.

Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Wu Xi expressed condolences to the victims, and said the embassy would provide assistance to the injured Chinese tourists.

The Chinese embassy urged the New Zealand government to take effective measures to rescue the wounded, investigate the cause of the accident as soon as possible, and assist the Chinese side to do emergency response work.