8 Jan 2010 08:24

Hebei steel mill accident death toll reaches 21

Shanghai. January 8. INTERFAX-CHINA - A gas leak at Hebei Puyang Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. (Puyang Steel) has caused the deaths of 21 workers, state media reported on Jan. 8.

According to Xinhua news agency, the accident occurred on Jan. 4 during the construction of a converter furnace. Puyang steel initially announced that the death toll was seven, however following a government investigation, the figure had been raised to 21.

Puyang Steel is located in Wu'an City in Hebei Province and has an annual crude steel production capacity of 3.5 million tons.

-LCL