Six herders died and 10 others were sickened by apparent carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator in a nomad area of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Thursday night, the local government said.

The victims, who were dining in the Urad Middle Banner outback, were found when a friend dropped in for a visit on Friday morning at about 1 a.m.

The 10 survivors were hospitalized in Bayannur and Linhe cities. Two remained in critical condition on Saturday afternoon, doctors said.

Initial investigators said the herders were poisoned by fumes from a gas-fueled generator, which was working throughout the night. Further investigation on the case is under way.

The nomad area is one of a few in Inner Mongolia still without electricity. Locals rely on generators to light up their homes and watch TV.

(Xinhua News Agency February 10, 2008)