Asia Briefs: Four killed in S. Korea subway site collapse

Four killed in S. Korea subway site collapse

SEOUL• Four workers were killed and 10 others injured in a collapse at a subway construction site in Namyangju, east of Seoul, the fire department said.

The victims were working 15m underground yesterday when an explosion - possibly of an oxygen tank - caused the surrounding structure to cave in on top of them.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Man's death in custody: Beijing to probe five

HONG KONG • Five people, including at least one Chinese police officer, are being investigated over the mysterious death of a 29-year-old environmentalist while in custody, the South China Morning Post reported.

Mr Lei Yang's unexplained death on May 7 has sparked a national outcry, the report said. It said the graduate of Renmin University in Beijing worked for an environmental organisation linked to the mainland government, and was arrested by plainclothes officers at a foot massage parlour on allegations of soliciting prostitutes.

Beijing's Changping District prosecution department yesterday said five people, including a police officer, were to be investigated.


KL to raise minimum drinking age to 21

KUALA LUMPUR • Malaysia will raise its minimum age for alcohol consumption to 21 next year from 18 now to stem underage drinking and alcohol abuse, said Health Minister S. Subramaniam.

This will take effect on Dec 1 next year, along with a new requirement that manufacturers add warnings on the effects of alcohol consumption to product labels, he added yesterday.

The New Straits Times quoted the minister as saying certain types of cheaply produced liquor were "creating a social problem among the lower-income group".

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 02, 2016, with the headline Asia Briefs: Four killed in S. Korea subway site collapse. Subscribe