Gas Well Accident in China Kills 191

[goobergunch]

By JOE McDONALD
Associated Press Writer

BEIJING (AP) -- A burst natural gas well, possibly pierced in a drilling mistake, spewed out toxic fumes, killing at least 191 people in southwest China and forcing 31,000 people to flee their homes, state media said Thursday.

The death toll was high even by the appalling standards of China's accident-plagued industry, where coal mine explosions and other disasters kill dozens at a time, totaling thousands every year.

As residents in a 3-mile radius were evacuated, technicians tried to stop the deadly leak of natural gas and hydrogen sulfide that erupted Tuesday night from the gas field at the town of Gaoqiao, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

They ignited the gas streaming from the wellhead Wednesday to burn away the toxic fumes and planned to attempt to plug the well with cement and earth-moving equipment. Photos released by Xinhua showed flames shooting up into the night sky.

more...http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CHINA_GAS_DEATHS?SITE=PAPHQ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[jburton]

1. Betcha Bushco investigates

To see if the contractors involved could be hired to replace American contractors at US locations.

You know, to increase "worker efficiency"

[revcarol]

2. NPR reported and also said

that over 100,000 Chinese die per year in work-related accidents.

We are subsidizing death and injury, buying that cheap something or other at Walmart.

Gotta luv that WTO. No worker protection at all.:evilfrown:

[Darranar]

3. Ah, the glorious wonders of corporate globalization.