Proposal made to handle gas leak in Chongqing

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Quilts are prepared for evacuators at a temporary shelter in Kaixian County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, March 26, 2006. A gas leakage happened at a well in Kaixian County on the morning of March 25, prompting the local government to evacuate residents near the well. Around 10,000 locals have been evacuated. [Xinhua Photo]

People have a meal at a temporary shelter in Kaixian County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, March 26, 2006. [Xinhua Photo]

March 27 (Xinhua) -- China's State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) has made a four-point proposal on how to handle the gas leak at the Luojia No.2 gas well in Gaoqiao Town of Kaixian County, Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

Yizhong, head of SAWS, asked the well's owner China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to monitor the pressure changes in the nearby Luojia No.1 gas well closely.

CNPC should observe the components of the air coming from rivers near the Luojia No. 2 gas well. If any changes occur, CNPC must notify local authorities immediately to evacuate more residents out of the area, said Li.

demanded CNPC to pass on the information immediately to the environmental protection authorities to monitor the water pollution.

he required CNPC to make emergency plans to ensure the successful capping of the Luojia No. 2 gas well.

started to shut down the gas well at 10 am on Monday. More than 10,000 residents living within a one-km radius of the well were evacuated.

leak was spotted at the well Saturday morning. No casualties have been reported.

gas well is within the vicinity of the Luojia No. 16H Gas Well, where a deadly gas explosion killed 243 people on Dec. 23, 2003.

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