TEN people died of smoke inhalation in an accident at a pharmaceutical company in the eastern Chinese city of Jinan, local authorities said yesterday.

The accident occurred at

3:37 p.m. yesterday afternoon in the basement of Qilu Tianhe Pharmaceutical when welding sparks ignited a heat-transferring substance, generating smoke.

Eight people who were working on a pipeline renovation project suffocated to death on the spot, and two others died despite emergency medical treatment.

Twelve rescuers also sustained minor smoke inhalation injuries, which were not life-threatening. (Xinhua)