Beijing

Deadly pipeline blast report unveiled

China's top work safety watchdog on Saturday unveiled a full investigation report on the fatal pipeline blast that claimed 62 lives in Shandong province's Qingdao on Nov 22. The accident was caused by sparks from repair workers' drills that ignited oil leaking from the pipeline belonging to a company owned by a subsidiary of Sinopec, the country's largest oil refiner, according to the report. The blast killed 62 people, injured 136 and caused a direct economic loss of 751.72 million yuan ($123 million), according to the report, which was compiled by a special investigation group established by the State Council, China's cabinet. A total of 63 people will be penalized.

Hunan

Aquarium staff member drowns

A female dolphin performance host at an aquarium in Hunan province drowned after she fell into the attraction's dolphin performance pool, according to the aquarium's management. The woman surnamed Wang, a new recruit, was knocked into the pool by a huge wave stirred by a jumping dolphin at Underwater World in the provincial capital of Changsha, said a manager with the aquarium.

Thailand

7 hurt in demonstrations

Seven people were wounded - one seriously - after gunmen opened fire on antigovernment protesters near the Khao San Road tourist area in Bangkok early on Saturday. "Seven people were injured - most of them antigovernment protesters," said national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew. The incident follows clashes between government supporters and protesters on Friday that left at least six people injured. The turmoil is the latest episode in an eight-year conflict between Bangkok's middle class and royalist establishment and the mostly poorer, rural supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Xinhua - Reuters

(China Daily 01/12/2014 page2)