7 die from toxic gas at Sichuan food factory

The poisoning deaths of seven people at a bamboo shoot-related food factory in Changning county, Sichuan province, has been attributed to hydrogen sulfide, according to the publicity department of the Changning county.

An investigation found that on May 4, the sewage treatment system of the Furong Bamboo Shoot Food Factory stopped working. On Monday afternoon, the system was reopened during the maintenance operation, which resulted in an overflow of toxic and harmful gases, including hydrogen sulfide in the sewage.

Two employees were poisoned. Then six people, including three employees and three local residents, tried to rescue them but were also poisoned in the process. Seven of the victims died and one was slightly injured, the department said on Tuesday.

Since 4 am on Tuesday, five air monitoring points have been set up around the factory. Results show that hydrogen sulfide and ammonia in the surrounding air are now lower than the pollutant emission standards, the department said.

The injured person is said to be in stable condition. An accident investigation team has been set up in Yibin, the city that administers Changning, it said.