Six people in Chongqing, China, were sentenced Saturday to up to six years in prison for a 2003 natural gas explosion that killed 243 people.
A gas well exploded, sending a poisonous mix of natural gas and hydrogen sulfide over the mountainous Kaixian County area Dec. 23, in Chongqing, as villagers were sleeping. Officials said 243 people died, while more than 4,000 were injured.
The court heard testimony that the gas well blowout was caused by a series of violations of rules for drilling operations and dereliction of duty.
Xinhua, China's main government-run news agency, reported Saturday one of the six defendants was found responsible for demanding workers remove a back-pressure valve although he knew the significance of the device for well safety.
Another official was held responsible for failing to assign special personnel to monitor the blowout or give clear orders to prevent the accident from getting out of control.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
