Twenty-one Chinese sailors treated for ammonia poisoning in Uruguay are now out of life-threatening condition, but one crew member remains missing, said the Chinese ambassador to Uruguay on Wednesday.  

The seamen inhaled toxic gas after a nearby fishing boat of the Republic of Korea exploded on Monday in the port of Montevideo, due to ammonia leakage. The gas was used by a refrigerator aboard as coolant.

Five sailors have recovered after medical treatment. The others remain hospitalized, four of whom are in critical condition, Ambassador Wang Yongzhan said.

The Uruguayan authorities are trying to find the missing crew member, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2004)