Three people have been detained in connection with the tragic deaths of six pupils at a boarding school in north China's Shanxi Province, a local government spokesman said Friday.

 

The children, aged six to 10, died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a generator was moved next door to their bedroom. Fumes leaked into their room, killing them within an hour.

 

Zheng Zhaogang, a maintenance worker, Shi Yanfang, a cook, and Wang Xiaoliu, a teacher, all of whom are staff members of the primary school, have been arrested, said Fu Jicheng, a spokesman with the Puxian County.

 

The two boys and four girls became violently ill on Monday evening at the primary school in Nanyao Village, Puxian County, Linfen City. Their deaths happened so suddenly that authorities at first thought they may?have suffered from food poisoning.

 

Nanyao village primary school has only 11 pupils, and the other five students were transferred to a nearby school.

 

The provincial education department has ordered local schools to strengthen safety checks and management.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2006)