QIQIHAR CITY, China, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- An attorney representing 35 Chinese victims of a chemical weapons leak has been authorized to file a lawsuit against the Japanese government.
The leak occurred Aug. 4 last year in Qiqihar City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, killing one and injuring 43 Chinese people.
One of the victims, Chen Rongxi, contacted lawyer Su Xiangxiang following the incident. Chen and 34 other victims consulted with the lawyer until they decided to file suit over the weekend against the Japanese government, Xinhua news agency reported Monday.
"Though we got some money after the incident, the Japanese government didn't say what the money stands for, nor did we receive any apology," said another of the victims, Ding Shuwen.
"We want an apology from the Japanese government," Ding said. "We also urged the Japanese government to destroy all chemical weapons abandoned in China as soon as possible. Don't let other Chinese be injured anymore. It's too painful."
The attorney said he hopes the lawsuit will help make progress towards resolving the chemical weapons issue.
