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Gas poisoning kills 12 in NE. China province
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-02-16 14:04
Northeast China's Jilin Province has reported a series of household carbon
monoxide leakage and poisoning cases since Monday, leaving 12 people dead as of
Thursday.
Local government sources said household gas poisoning took place in a number
of residential areas in six counties of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture.
By 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, local hospitals in Yanbian had received a total of
227 people with symptoms of gas poisoning, among whom 12 died and 32 remained in
hospital by press time. Eight of the hospitalized are in serious conditions.
Preliminary investigation shows that the carbon monoxide leakage was mainly
caused by the recent low air pressure in the prefecture, which led to an
incomplete burning of the coal used for cooking and heating by the local
residents.
In many areas of north China, burning coal in stoves remains the main way of
cooking and winter heating for rural residents and urban dwellers living in old
residential buildings.
The local government has activated its emergency response plan for public
crises, and has required all local hospitals to spare no effort to save the
poisoned people.
Local media are publishing or broadcasting reports and messages warning the
people against the danger of poor ventilation at home.
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