|
BEIJING, CHINA - TWO Chinese men have been detained for spreading a rumour about an earthquake, which caused panic at a school, because they felt bored, Xinhua news agency said on Thursday.
Many schools have collapsed in the 7.9 magnitude quake which devastated Sichuan province, killing hundreds of children and angering parents who believe the construction was sub-standard.
Early on May 15, three days after the quake, girl students boarding at a traditional Chinese medicine school in Lanzhou, capital of neighbouring Gansu province, received calls warning of a fresh quake about to hit, the agency said.
'The girls rushed outside in a panic, which caused a stampede on the stairs, but no one was hurt,' Xinhua said.
'More than 400 girls stayed on a sports ground until school authorities pacified them and sent them back to their dormitory rooms.'
The students said the calls were from men who proclaimed to be an employee of the local government, an government official and a school guard.
Police said the calls were in fact made by two employees of a property management firm in Gansu, which also suffered in the 7.9 magnitude quake, who were feeling bored.
Investigations continue
State radio has been working overtime warning Chinese residents not to believe rumours and not to spread them.
'Spreading rumours will only worsen the disaster,' announcers have been intoning since the earthquake struck.
'We have the most accurate and authoritative information. Believe only what we say.' -- REUTERS
| 
