A group of 74 people had symptoms of being poisoned after eating scallion-flavored pancakes bought locally Tuesday at a coal mine in Tongchuan City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Tests by the provincial disease prevention and control center show that the pancakes contained "Dushuqiang," a powerful raticide that is banned in China.

It is reported that only an intake of 5 milligrams of "Dushuqiang" can cause the death of a human being.

Sixty-nine of the 74 victims were sent to a local hospital for treatment. They include 55 employees of the mine and 14 students. The 69 are now out of danger and in stable conditions.

Police believe the poisoning is a criminal case.

The municipal public security authorities, in cooperation with the related department of the Tongchuan Mine Administration, are investigating the incident.

(China Daily April 16, 2004)