Group Photos: Dozens Chinese Injured by WWII Chemical Weapons of Japan

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, August 10, 2003

Group Photos: Dozens Chinese Injured by WWII Chemical Weapons of Japan

At least 36 people in Qiqihar City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province have been injured by the chemical weapons left over by Japanese invading army during the Second World War.

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The photo taken on Aug. 7, 2003 shows a victim lies on the bed at a hospital in Qiqihaer, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At least 36 Chinese people were confirmed to be injured by the chemical weapons left over by the Japanese invaders in World War II at a construction site here Monday. (Xinhua)

The picture taken on Aug. 7, 2003, shows the wounded legs of a victim who lies on the bed at a hospital in Qiqihaer, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At least 36 Chinese people were confirmed to be injured by the chemical weapons left over by the Japanese invaders in World War II at a construction site here Monday. (Xinhua)

At least 36 people in Qiqihar City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province have been injured by the chemical weapons left over by Japanese invading army during the Second World War.

These chemical weapons, discovered Monday morning at a construction site, were stored up in five metallic barrels, one ofwhich was carelessly broken, making oil-like material leak out andinfiltrated into the soil.

Unaware of the nature of the material, two workers later boughtthese five barrels, cut them into parts, and then sold them to a waste station located in a residential community.

Things were made worse when the polluted soil from the construction site were removed to several different places.

By 6:00 p.m. Monday, three people had reported headache, eye-ache, vomits and other symptoms and local police were informed at 8:00 p.m.

The local government immediately mobilized strong police force to prevent the pollution from further spreading and medical treatment was soon organized for all the victims, among which 29 were hospitalized.

Experts later confirmed, after technical analysis, that the material carried by the five barrels were chemical weapons left byJapanese army during the Second World War and the oil-like stuff were mustard gas.

According to doctors, three of the victims were in serious condition with the decline of while blood cells, subdued blood production capability of marrow and difficulty in breathing. Others, however, have turned stable.

But since the latent period of the effect generally ranges fromseveral hours to several months, medical care will not be relaxed.

On Friday, China urged Japan to seriously deal with the accident, and Fu Ying, director of the Asia department of Chinese Foreign Ministry, lodged solemn representations with a minister ofthe Japanese embassy in China.

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