Remains of Chinese guard killed in Somalia attack return home

A car is ready to pick up the remains of Chinese guard Zhang Nan, who was killed in a terrorist attack in Somalia, in Jinan, Shandong province, Aug 1, 2015. [Photo/CFP]

JINAN - The remains of a Chinese guard killed in a terrorist attack in Somalia returned to Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, on Saturday evening, with another two wounded guards escorting his coffin.

A suicide attack by Al-Shabaab was launched onto Jazeera Palace Hotel at around 4 pm local time on July 26 in Mogadishu, which killed more than a dozen people.

The six-story luxury hotel in the Somali capital houses embassies from China, Egypt, Kenya and Qatar, and hosts high-level government meetings.

Zhang Nan, the fallen guard, was a security officer in Chinese embassy in Somalia. He had been serving in the army for 11 years.

People came to the Jinan international airport to express their deep condolences to his family, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, senior military officers and local officials of Zhang's hometown.

A memorial service will be held at 9:30 am Sunday in Jinan.