Chongqing (AsiaNews/SCMP) – The gas leak in the area of Kaixian (municipality of Chongqing) occurred on Dec. 23. It was defined as one of the worst industrial accidents ever in China. Official figures reports 234 deaths, yet many of the survivors say that victims number more than 300.

The government has launched an investigation to punish those responsible for the disaster. Responsibility is found at various levels. The clearest causes are: local government incompetence, superficiality on behalf of industrial management, unprepared technicians and slowness in aid to victims.

According to some survivors, China National Petroleum Corp (one of the global giants in the oil trade with an annual budget of 400 billion yuan –approx. 50 billion euro ) is responsible for the gas drilling plant, yet did not concern itself with teaching residents living near the plant how to deal with eventual dangers such as gas leaks and explosions.  Around the well area no safety masks or suits were to be seen.

Even Chongqing authorities didn't have anti-gas masks. And hence, the vice-mayor Wu Jianon said help didn't reach the area for more than 30 hours after the disaster. Another reason for the delay was due to the fact that the rural area –mainly inhabited by farmers— is not easily reached by transport.

The army's biological and chemical emergency units arrived on the scene only on Dec. 26, 3 days after the incident. The is no evidence whether helicopters were used or not.

State Work Safety Administration spokesman asked the government to launch a national alarm and rapid emergency system for the future.

Meanwhile authorities are using at least 100 trucks to transfer 42,000 persons evacuated from their homes. But for those living within a 5 km radius of the disaster, it is still forbidden for them to return.

The poisonous gas killed both humans and animals and contaminated water supplies and crops.  Many survivors have returned home having lost everything. Authorities in Kaixian said that China National Petroleum Corp will compensate all those who have suffered damages.

Many survivors in villages near Xiaoyang, just a few kilometers from the disaster, said that were hundreds of dead victims and that hundreds of others were still considered  "unaccounted for". Police closed off the area in question, making it possible to verify any evidence. Officials did not wish to commenting on the figures.   

According to official data, every day 300 deaths occur in relation to accidents at work. By this it is meant deaths occurring at the workplace. There are no official figures for the deaths the occur as a consequence of work-related accidents.

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