ZCZC
BFF-23
CHINA-ACCIDENT
Chinese pharmaceutical plant accident kills 10
BEIJING, April 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Ten people suffocated to death by
smoke inhalation at a large Chinese pharmaceutical firm on Monday, state
media reported, the lastest in a spate of deadly industrial incidents across
the country.
Sparks from a pipe being welded at Qilu Tianhe Huishi Pharmaceutical Co.
in eastern Shandong province caused a substance to catch fire and give off
the smoke, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Twelve rescue workers were hurt but were not in life-threatening
condition, it added.
Qilu Tianhe has invested 1 billion yuan ($150 million) in its massive
pharmaceutical plant covering 280,000 square meters in the city of Jinan.
It exports its medicines that fight infections, cancer, and
cardiovascular problems to Europe, North and South America, and the Middle
East, the company’s website said.
The accident is under investigation, according to Xinhua.
Deadly industrial accidents are common in China, where safety
regulations are often poorly enforced.
A chemical blast in eastern Jiangsu province last month killed 78 and
left hundreds injured.
In November, a gas leak at a plant in the northern Chinese city of
Zhangjiakou — which will host the 2022 Winter Olympics — killed 24 people
and injured 21 others.
In 2015, China saw one of its worst industrial accidents when giant
chemical blasts in the northern port city of Tianjin killed at least 165
people.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1925HRS