|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 30 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Death toll rises in gas explosion BEIJING, Monday (AFP) The death toll from last week's gas blowout in China rose to 233 as victims were found in mountainous villages, state media reported local government officials as saying. Investigators have stepped up an inquiry into the blowout that also left thousands injured, as military units in southwest China's Chongqing municipality continued combing deserted villages for more victims. Efforts to find the cause of the disaster gathered steam after workers capped the burst No. 16 well in the Chuandongbei gas field Saturday, ending a steady stream of toxic fumes that have poisoned the region since the blowout occurred late Tuesday. More than 9,000 people have been treated for sulfurated hydrogen poisoning and more than 42,000 residents of Kai county evacuated. As of Sunday morning, 964 people were still hospitalized in Kai county, Xinhua news agency said, but some residents were being allowed to return to their homes as local environmental protection and health officials determined that some areas were safe. "The investigation into the accident is ongoing," an official from the work supervision bureau of Chongqing municipality told AFP. "It is too early to say the extent of responsibility of PetroChina, but it is clear that compensation for the victims will have to be paid out." The blast occurred Tuesday night some 337 kilometers (202 miles) northeast of the regional capital of Chongqing when highly concentrated natural gases in the gas field run by the China National Petroleum Corporation exploded, sending a cloud of toxic fumes floating out over the area. According to press reports, the accident occurred as a team from the Chuandong Drilling and Exploration Company was working on the 400 meter (1,320 foot) deep well. Experts were cited as saying that blowouts can occur when drills are withdrawn from such wells. Investigators were also likely to look into the emergency response system of the gas company. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
