BEIJING. July 21 (Interfax) - An explosion occurred near China's Consulate General in Odessa on Thursday, causing damage to the diplomatic mission's building and prompting the evacuation of its staff, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
"An explosion happened near China's Consulate-General in Odessa. The blast wave shook off parts of the wall surface and windowpanes," the diplomat said after being asked by a journalist whether any damage was caused to the Chinese diplomatic mission's building as a result of a Russian strike on Odessa.
The response has been published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Consulate General staff were evacuated, the spokesperson said. No one was injured.
"China is closely following the developments and staying in touch with the parties concerned. We will take all measures necessary to keep Chinese institutions and nationals safe in Ukraine," he said.