A blowout in a natural gas field in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality Tuesday, killed eight people and poisoned 57 others.

The tragedy took place at 10 pm at Chuandongbei gas field in Kaixian County, when a well burst suddenly and releasing a high concentration of natural gas and sulfureted hydrogen. Sixty-five workers were poisoned at the scene and eight died at the hospital.

The blowout was controlled by 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to the local government office.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2003)