The French Defence Minister conveyed his condolences to the families of the Indian nationals killed in the incident. He assured Antony that the French side was conducting a high level enquiry into the incident and also that the Indian Government would be informed about the outcome of the enquiry, sources in the Indian Defence Ministry said.

Antony conveyed that the news of the incident and in particular, the killing of Indian nationals was extremely distressing. He asked that the French forces in the CAR should ensure the proper treatment of the injured Indian nationals and also requested that necessary measures be taken to ensure the safety of the other Indian nationals in the CAR. The French Defence Minister assured that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure the safety of Indian nationals in the country and also informed that the persons injured in yesterday’s incident would be provided the best possible medical assistance until they were fit to be repatriated.

Earlier on Monday the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who is in Durban for the CHOGM Summit, received a letter from President Francois Hollande of France expressing regret for the tragic incident in which two Indian nationals were killed and six others seriously injured at Bangui Airport in the Central African Republic this morning by French troops, who were guarding the airport. Bangui, Central African Republic has been overrun by a rebel group in the ongoing civil war in the country.

While conveying his condolences, President Hollande assured Prime Minister of his firm determination to investigate the tragic event and assured that the injured were under the care of French medical teams.

Prime Minister expressed his deep distress at the loss of innocent lives. He has directed that all efforts be made to ensure the safety of approximately 100 Indian nationals in the Central African Republic, mainly in and around Bangui. The Indian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is concurrently accredited to the Central African Republic is making necessary arrangements for the return of the mortal remains of the Indian nationals in accordance with the desires of their next of kin.