Society

Three killed in ironworks accident in east China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-08 20:34

JINAN -- Three workers died and five others were injured Wednesday after a container of molten iron spilled at an ironworks in east China's Shandong Province.

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The accident happened at 7 am at the plant owned by Shandong Fulun Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. in Laiwu City, said a statement issued by the city government.

The tank was suspended from a crane and it fell when the sling suddenly failed, said a spokesman with the company.

The molten metal killed three workers at the scene. Five others suffered slight burns and were taken to hospital. Three of them had been discharged, said the spokesman.

An initial investigation showed the accident might have been triggered by a crane malfunction, he said.

City work safety officials are still investigating the cause of the accident.