Eight people have died after eating rice from a single retailer in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, northwest China.

Three herdsmen in Qumalai County died suddenly on Monday after eating the rice bought from a local retailer, and another five people died on Tuesday. Another herdsman was sent to hospital in Golmud city where his condition is said to be safe.

The local authority confirmed the rice was the direct cause of the deaths and police have arrested the retailer. Investigations are continuing.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2003)