Company apologizes and vows to manage aftermath after 6 university students died during a field visit

Zhongjin Gold Corporation on Thursday apologized and organized personnel to the scene to manage the aftermath, after six university students accidentally died on Wednesday during an educational visit at its subsidiary corporation in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. 

The six students, who were from Northeastern University in the city of Shenyang in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, were learning about the flotation process at a plant of Wunugetushan copper-molybdenum deposit, which belongs to Zhongjin Gold Corporation, when they fell into a flotation tank due to the falling off of a grate, according to the company.

After all efforts to rescue them, the students were retrieved but were confirmed drowned by medical personnel. Additionally, one teacher was injured.

After the incident, the company immediately activated its emergency response plan and sent personnel to the scene to manage the situation, Zhongjin Gold Corporation said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The company expresses its deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy to the injured and the families of the deceased, and extended its heartfelt apologies for the social impact caused by this tragedy.

Currently, Zhongjin Gold Corporation has set up an on-site command center, where relevant follow-up work is being carried out, an employee from the company told the Global Times on Thursday, adding that they will provide updates in a timely manner.

At the opening of the A-share market, the stock price of the company plunged by 4.91 percent.