BEIJING, Oct. 24  -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday extended condolences to his Cameroon counterpart, Paul Biya, over a deadly train derailment in the African country, in which dozens of people died.

In a message, Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, mourned the dead and expressed condolences to the injured and to the families of the dead.

The death toll in Friday's train derailment has risen to 79, Cameroonian national state television reported Monday.