Seven in hospital after fiery protest

Seven people are still recovering in hospital after protesters ignited gasoline at the site of a disputed demolition in Sichuan province.

The incident followed a 20- minute standoff between protesters and police in Baoning village in Emeishan city on Thursday. Tensions escalated as villagers poured gasoline on themselves and the ground around them, according to an official who witnessed the scene.

The protesters said they had not received their expected compensation as their houses were about to be destroyed for a government construction project.