A view of a 4S dealership of Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobiles in Shanghai in May 2018 Photo: VCG

Dongfeng Peugeot issued an official apology on its Sina Weibo account on Wednesday after being accused by Chinese netizens for faking flood aid effort in Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan Province, which has reported 33 deaths in the unprecedented rainfall. 

Dongfeng Peugeot published a Weibo post Wednesday noon stating that the company would provide emergency rescue services in Zhengzhou, offer rescue vehicles, trailers, food and daily necessities to local people and listed a 24-hour emergency phone number.

Netizens and local volunteers then commented that the customer service said they have not received any notification regarding the emergency rescue services and have confirmed that no supplies were provided. 

Dongfeng Peugeot retweeted the post three hours later adding that a rescue team has been formed with rescue vehicles and materials arranged in order to maximally meet the needs in response to netizens' doubt and anger.  

"If everything is not settled yet, you do not have to post and you are not obligated to help. However, once you posted the action you have to actually implement it. You can't shine a light of hope for local people and then blow it up. It is just a waste of victims' mobile phone signals and batteries which could be a matter of life and death for them!" a netizen commented on Weibo with anger.  

Dongfeng Peugeot issued an official statement on Wednesday night saying that they would apologize for the lack of proper arrangements which had raised concerns from netizens, and would accept any incoming criticism. 

The company said in the statement that the rescue team and four dealers in Zhengzhou had contributed to the rescue work. As of Wednesday night, Dongfeng Peugeot have received a total of 166 emergency requests from local people and customers, with a total of 106 vehicle services being arranged for the rescue work and daily basic materials including food and drinking water have been distributed based on the demand. 

"The rescue work is still continuing and we will prioritize the rescue work and hope to contribute our power and do our part to people who have been affected by the rainfall," said the statement. 

Global Times