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Title: Lighter Factory Explosion Claims 17 Lives

Story Filed: Wednesday, March 29, 2000 3:41 AM EST

SHANTOU (March 29) XINHUA - An explosion on Tuesday afternoon in a cigarette lighter factory in Huilai County in south China's Guangdong Province killed 17 people and injured six others.

According to local sources, the lighter factory is an overseas- funded firm that did not have prior registration with the relevant local industrial and commercial administrative department, and it came to the town of Longjiang in Huilai County from Humen in nearby Dongguan City early this year.

The unlicensed factory, which employs more than 100 workers, mainly produces disposable plastic lighters.

Witnesses said the accident occurred around 3:40 p.m. yesterday afternoon and was caused by a chemical leakage and ensuing explosion.

Local government officials, along with a fire brigade, public security officers, and medical workers, rushed to the site shortly thereafter for rescue efforts.

All the injured are now undergoing proper medical treatment at a local hospital.

At present, the accident is under investigations, said local sources.

Copyright XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

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