Fears that the outbreak of coronavirus in China may disrupt economic activity and global growth has sent the stock markets tumbling.
Chinese health authorities on Friday said that 830 cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus were confirmed in 29 provincial - level regions in the country.
The pneumonia has so far claimed 25 lives.
A sharp adverse reaction from Asian, US and European markets was witnessed because China is entering one of its busiest travel periods on account of its Lunar New Year holiday.
The virus outbreak could hurt demand.
On Thursday, Chinese stock markets logged its biggest slide in eight months.
However, Indian markets closed higher as the oil prices plunged significantly.