Kaixian County, where a fatal gas blowout happened on Tuesday, has a population of 1.47 million,and is located about 337km northeast of Chongqing, the largest municipality in southwest China.

The mountainous county covers 3,959 square km, and the altitudeis between 134 and 2,626 meters. The county government is located in Hanfeng Town, at an altitude of 167 meters.

The blowout took place in Gaoqiao Town, about 70 km northwest of the county town. There is only one unpaved road between the twotowns, and it usually takes at least three hours by car to cover the distance.

According to sources at the county government, Gaoqiao is some 200 to 300 meters higher than Hanfeng, and the current temperaturethere is around 4 to 5 degrees Celsius in the daytime and zero Celsius at night.

Close

Today's Top News		Top National News
+Gas blowout kills at least 191 in Chongqing ( 2003-12-26) +At least 90 killed in Benin plane crash ( 2003-12-26) +Electricity price hike in new year ( 2003-12-26) +China bans imports of US beef products ( 2003-12-26) +Nestle in hot water over GMOs ( 2003-12-26)		+Backgrounder: Kaixian County ( 2003-12-26) +Nestle in hot water over GMOs ( 2003-12-26) +China to blacklist insecure imported goods ( 2003-12-26) +Official: AIDS toll in Jilin exaggerated ( 2003-12-26) +Gas blowout kills at least 191 in Chongqing ( 2003-12-26)