Society

4 in East China detained over fatal blast rumor

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-13 17:06

NANJING - Four people in Xiangshui county, East China's Jiangsu province, were detained over a blast rumor which triggered a fatal panic flee on Thursday, a local government spokesman said Sunday.

Related readings:  Stop spreading false news  Post-quake rumors harm victims  Expo spokesman denies reports of trampling

Four people died amid the turmoil stirred by rumors that a local chemical plant was going to explode any minute, the spokesman said.

Two suspects were detained on charges of spreading phony information and another two were taken into custody for violation of laws, he said.

More than 10,000 residents of four townships in the county swarmed into streets, panicking over rumors spreading early Thursday morning that there was a toxic gas leak from a local chemical plant which could explode at any moment, he added.

The chaotic evacuation caused traffic jams and chaos on the streets. A motor tricycle carrying more than 20 panic-stricken people fell into a river, killing four.

Investigation of the incident is still underway.