Hundreds flee after deadly fumes sucide

May 1 2008 Media Wales

AROUND 350 people fled their homes in northern Japan today, to escape poisonous fumes after a neighbour killed himself by mixing detergent and other chemicals - the latest in a series of such suicides.

The panic in Otaru came just hours after national police urged internet providers to crack down on websites spurring a wave of detergent-related suicides that have reportedly killed 50 people in the past month.

The rash of such suicides in Japan – which already has one of the world’s highest suicide rates – has triggered widespread concern because the powerful fumes can seriously harm bystanders and rescuers.

In Otaru, on the northern island of Hokkaido, a 24-year-old man mixed the chemicals in his house after midnight. He died, and the gas – hydrogen sulphide - escaped his home. Neighbours were alerted by the smell, Hokkaido police said.

The man’s 58-year-old mother, who was apparently overcome by the fumes, was found unconscious nearby and was taken to hospital. Police said she was recovering.

About 350 neighbours fled to a nearby school playground for about two hours until the fumes dispersed.

Just last week, at least 90 people were made ill by fumes in south-western Japan after a teenage girl killed herself by mixing laundry detergent with cleanser in her flat.

Yesterday, Japan’s National Police Agency urged internet providers to delete language from websites showing readers how to mix the chemicals. Some sites reportedly provide "poison gas" warnings that viewers can print out and hang on the outside of the door when they kill themselves.

The police request marked the first action against detergent suicides by the Japanese government, which has announced the goal of cutting the suicide rate by 20% in 10 years by reducing unemployment, boosting workplace counselling and filtering websites that promote suicide.