CNPC's deputy general manager, Zeng Yukang, apologized to people
living along for the Songhua River for the pollution caused by the
blast, according to Harbin's city government on Thursday.
Zeng, also director of Daqing Petroleum Administration Bureau,
went to Harbin on Wednesday, heading a drilling crew that is to dig
100 deep groundwater wells there for universities, colleges and
water and heat suppliers.
Jiao Zhengzhong, provincial vice-governor of Jilin, also
expressed his apologies to the residents of Harbin and went there
the same day to discuss ways to treat the pollution, bringing 71
tons of bottled water with him, according to Harbin's city
government yesterday.
"We will work with the Heilongjiang provincial government to
quickly investigate the incident," he said.
Shenyang, capital of the northeastern province of Liaoning,
transported 1,000 tons of drinking water to help, according to its
municipal government on Thursday.
A State Council work group is due to leave Beijing on Friday
afternoon for Harbin to investigate the situation.
Nitrobenzene is toxic to humans and may also be
carcinogenic.
(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2005)
