Beijing, Sept 5 (ANI): Five people have reportedly been arrested over a Chinese chemical company's dumping of carcinogenic industrial chemicals that could pollute the water sources for tens of millions of people, local authorities in southwestern Yunnan Province.
The five suspects include a deputy general manager and an employee of Luliang Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., a general manager with Sanli Fuel Co. Ltd. in neighboring Guizhou Province and two carriers, Chen Jun, deputy mayor of Qujing City, Xinhua reports.
Three other suspects, including the general manager of Luliang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and two employees from a coal company, were released on bail, but their trials are still pending, Chen said.
Luliang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. was found to have illegally dumped over 5,000 metric tons of chromium-contaminated waste near the Chachong Reservoir and on hills of Qilin District in Qujing from April to June. Rainfall in June washed some of the chemicals into local water supplies and caused 77 cattle to die.
Since the Chachong Reservoir and its downstream river feed the Pearl River, one of China's longest waterway, the pollution scandal sparked fears that it could threaten the water sources for tens of millions of residents downstream.
Meanwhile, a separate investigation by local environment watchdog also revealed that nearly 150,000 metric tons of waste was piled inside the company, which is located by the Nanpan River, raising concerns over the pollution to the river through leakage. (ANI)
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