Villagers break into lead factory

Hundreds of villagers broke through the fences of a smelting plant yesterday to protest the lead poisoning affecting more than 600 children in Fengxiang county, Shaanxi province.

Residents from three villages affected by the poisoning - Madaokou, Sunjia Nantou, Gaozuitou - marched to the factory area of Dongling Lead and Zinc Smelting Co. about 10 am, said protester Ma Linqin.

He said protestors tore down fencing that surrounded the plant, overwhelmed the factory's security guards and smashed trucks and other vehicles.