Chinese pollution

[Rush]

The Chinese central government sent a team of investigators and "disciplinary officials" to Harbin today to study the handling of a toxic spill that has led to the shutting down of the city's water supply.

NI_MPU('middle');As the 80km-long (50-mile) stretch of benzene-polluted water continues to slide down the Songhua River and through the city, the decision to send the officials from Beijing "indicates punishments of irresponsible acts are on the way", according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Today was the fourth day that Harbin, the capital of the northeastern province of Heilongjiang and home to four million people, has been without water since the city's taps were turned off without explanation earlier in the week.

Two days ago, provincial officials admitted that an explosion at a chemical plant on November 13 had leaked quantities of benzene, a carcinogen, into the Songua River. Yesterday, officials conceded that around 100 tonnes of the toxic solvent, which causes leukaemia in high doses, had been released.


OOOhh dear Chinese disciplinary officials..are they not mercyless..glad i am not one on the recieving end !!!

 

[Ian]

Quite hard to imagine the scale of that in this country.... that city is half the size of London without water

 

[ChristopherP]

I think they will ultimatly be the course of a mass *place incredibley massive man made disaster here*

 

[Ian]

China is rapidly developing, and it wouldn't surprise me if they are on a par with America in 50 years time - let just hope that the human rights catch up at the same speed.