In a quiet village in Lai'an County, Xin'an Township, Shili Village, a sudden and alarming event unfolded near a chemical plant that has long been a source of concern for local residents. Xu Qijun, the head of the Shiyuan Village Group, was tending to his vegetable garden on a hot morning when he noticed a thick, strange fog rising from a nearby area just 40 to 50 meters away from his field.
At first, he thought it might be a normal occurrence, but as the smoke grew denser and the pungent smell became more intense, he realized something was wrong. "This must be from the chemical plant," he said to himself. The factory, located just 100 meters from the village, had expanded significantly over the past three years, bringing it dangerously close to residential areas.
Xu quickly called a worker at the plant, asking if there had been a leak. The response confirmed his fears. Soon after, the fog spread toward him, and he began to feel unwell—his throat burned, he felt nauseous, and he struggled to move. He knew he had inhaled toxic gas.
The situation escalated when an electric vehicle arrived at the scene, with three men wearing gas masks (referred to as "pig noses" by locals) helping to carry villagers out. Instead of taking them to the hospital, they were taken to a river over 100 meters away before leaving without explanation. It wasn’t until the villagers called 120 that Xu and another person were finally sent to the hospital. Soon after, 12 more villagers were admitted one by one.
After the incident, the chemical plant's security blocked both ends of the village’s only road, preventing villagers from accessing the area. This action further deepened the sense of fear and helplessness among the residents.
Villagers revealed that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred. Wang Yongli, whose mother Wu Xiuping was poisoned for the second time, described her lingering symptoms even after a day of treatment. "It's like living in a place where danger is always around," he said.
Zhou Xuefei remembered a tragic event in 2010 when a chemical explosion killed all seven members of his family. Since then, he and others have continued to suffer from health issues. "They don't even come to see us after we get sick," he said bitterly.
Experts warn that workers dealing with toxic gases should always wear proper protective equipment and that emergency protocols must be strictly followed. The incident remains under investigation, and the community continues to seek justice and accountability.
China Labor Insurance Network
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