Primary investigations shows that hydrogen cyanide gas leaked from a gold mining plant in Beijing's suburban district of Huairou has killed three people and left another 15 hospitalized.

The people in hospital have been in stable situation. One of them has used respirator, said Sun Wenli, deputy president of the Huairou No. 1 Hospital, where the victims are in.

The accident happened at about 7:00 p.m. Tuesday when hydrogen cyanide gas leaked from waste liquid of gold in a gold smeltery. The plant belongs to the Beijing Zhongfa Gold Co. Ltd.

At about 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, the local environment protection department checked the air in surrounding areas and found that the density of hydrogen cyanide was 0.003 milligram per one cubic meter of air, lower than the warning level of 0.1 milligram.

More than 200 people living two kilometers around the region have been evacuated.

The cause of the accident is under further investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2004)