Society

9 poisoned as toxic gas leak hits detention house

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-01-25 16:04

KUNMING - A suspected toxic gas leak near a detention facility in Southwest China Monday caused the poisoning of nine inmates, witnesses and local officials said Tuesday.

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Inmates of the Xishan Detention Center in suburban Kunming city, Yunnan province, said they smelt a pungent gas Monday night, a district government spokesman told reporters Tuesday.

Some inmates suffered headaches and nausea, and some had difficulty breathing. The nine poisoned inmates - three males, six females - were taken to hospital.

The pungent gas had dispersed by late Monday night.

Work safety officials are checking factories located near the detention for gas leaks.