IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Shandong

10 people die of smoke inhalation

Ten people died of smoke inhalation at a pharmaceutical company in Jinan, local authorities said on Monday. The accident occurred at 3:37 pm on Monday afternoon in the basement of Qilu Tianhe Pharmaceutical, when welding sparks ignited a heat-transferring substance and generated smoke. Eight people who were working on a pipeline in the basement died at the scene, and two others died despite emergency medical treatment. Twelve rescuers also sustained minor smoke inhalation injuries, which were not life-threatening. Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.