Six herders died and 10 others were sickened by apparent carbon
monoxide poisoning from a generator in a nomad area of north
China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Thursday night, the
local government said.
The victims, who were dining in the Urad Middle Banner outback,
were found when a friend dropped in for a visit on Friday morning
at about 1 a.m.
The 10 survivors were hospitalized in Bayannur and Linhe cities.
Two remained in critical condition on Saturday afternoon, doctors
said.
Initial investigators said the herders were poisoned
by?fumes from a gas-fueled generator, which was working
throughout the night. Further investigation on the case is under
way.
The nomad area is one of a few in Inner Mongolia still without
electricity. Locals rely on generators to light up?their homes
and watch TV.
(Xinhua News Agency February 10, 2008)