Three people are dead and three are in hospital due to a leak of
hydrogen sulfide gas on Tuesday in northwest China's Gansu Province, according to the Jingyuan
county government.
The accident occurred at 12:30 AM in the Huaxia paper recycling
factory, when one worker was cleaning a three-meter deep cellar
used to pulp waste paper.
The worker collapsed unconscious and five colleagues also passed
out as they tried to pull him out the cellar.
Three workers died despite emergency medical treatment.
A preliminary investigation shows all six were poisoned by
condensed hydrogen sulfide gas triggered by the paper pulping
process.
Further investigations are underway, and officials are looking
into compensation for the victims and their families.
(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2007)