Miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo Photo: VCG

Five Chinese nationals have been kidnapped in an armed attack on a gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday, the Chinese Embassy announced the same day, citing the company that is involved.

The embassy said that the security situation in Province de l'Ituri, Province du Nord Kivu and Province du Sud Kivu is very severe, and armed attacks involving Chinese people have occurred in these places many times.

The embassy has issued an alert, warning Chinese nationals not to go to the above-mentioned provinces, and advising Chinese nationals already in the provinces to evacuate immediately.

It was not clear who carried out the attack near the village of Mukera in South Kivu province, during which an armed group exchanged fire with police. Five Chinese nationals were kidnapped, Major Dieudonne Kasereka, army spokesman for the region, was quoted as saying by the Reuters. 

A number of other media outlets also said at least five Chinese people were kidnapped. 

According to Sputnik News, a local police officer was killed and eight Chinese nationals were kidnapped in an armed attack on a gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday by gunmen.

The DRC is the world's biggest producer of mined cobalt - a key ingredient in batteries for electric vehicles - and one of Africa's biggest copper producers.

The Chinese Embassy in the DRC has yet to release further details on the incident. 

Global Times