(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-01 20:04

SHIJIAZHUANG -- Seven workers died and one was hospitalized after they fell into a paper pulp pool in north China's Hebei Province, work safety officials said on Wednesday.

The accident occurred around 11:00 am on Wednesday at the privately-owned Qianzhang Village Paper Mill in Langfang City, according to the Hebei work safety administration.

One worker fell into the pool and seven others also fell in one after another in rescue attempts, the administration said.

Seven workers were poisoned by the chemicals in the pool and the surviving rescuer was still being treated in hospital.

The paper mill has halted production. Local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.