SEOUL, Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming said Tuesday he is "deeply saddened" by the loss of 17 Chinese nationals in a battery plant fire in Hwaseong the previous day. Xing's comments were posted on the Chinese Embassy's social media account a day after he visited the fire site in the city 45 kilometers south of Seoul. "I express my condolences to the victims and sincerely offer words of comfort to the bereaved family members and those injured," he said. Xing said his embassy is working with South Korean authorities to handle the aftermath and has requested South Korea provide all necessary assistance to the Chinese victims' families, including a swift determination of the fire's cause. "In particular, I am deeply saddened that unfortunately many Chinese nationals lost their lives," he said. "I hope that relevant South Korean companies will learn a painful lesson so that such accidents do not happen again, and that they will firmly guarantee the lives, health and safety of Chinese nationals in Sou th Korea." Of the 23 killed, China had the largest number of victims, with five others being Koreans and one being Laotian. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun spoke by phone with Xing late Monday to express her condolences and promised that necessary and timely support will be provided to the victims and their family members, a foreign ministry official said. "We explained that we will proactively seek ways to help with things like the entry of the bereaved families into South Korea and funeral procedures," the official said. Identifying the victims is the top priority, the official said, adding that related agencies are working with foreign diplomatic missions in Seoul over the matter. Some of the victims are reportedly naturalized Korean citizens, a source said. Source: Yonhap News Agency