3 arrested in chlorine poison investigation in North China ( 2004-01-19 11:22) (Xinhua) Three people have been
arrested for their improper disposal of 17 jars of chlorine that poisoned 134
people and forced more than 2,000 others to evacuate from their village in
Qiqihar city, China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, last Thursday.
Qiqihar police arrested Jiang Guiqing, head of a bankrupt pharmaceutical
plant, who had sold the old jars in order to get some money as a Chinese Lunar
New Year bonus for his employees.
The two unemployed people who had bought the jars from Jiang were also
arrested for letting out chlorine by opening the jars near the Gaotou village of
Jianhua district when they noticed the jars contained liquid.
Villagers soon complained of vomiting and breathing difficulties and were
sent to local emergency aid centers Thursday evening.
Thirteen of them were still being treated in hospital by press time.
Police said they were conducting further probe into the case and had warned
all chemical plants in the city to be on alert against similar
accidents.
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