Three journalists in Sichuan Province were injured at Nanchong City Public Security Bureau when a confiscated gun accidentally went off, Chongqing Times reported today.

The gun was used for hunting birds and was loaded with stones at the time of the accident, the report said.

Su Dingwei, a reporter from West China City Daily, was in stable condition after surgery. Wang Xiaofeng from Chinanews.com.cn and Zhang Yicheng from Nanchong Daily only received minor injuries, the report said.

The accident occurred 10 minutes after a public security bureau press conference that gave details of a special campaign against illegal explosives and weapons.

"Journalists from 13 media outlets were led to a hall on the second floor after attending the meeting on the 12th floor,'' an intern surnamed Lin told the newspaper. "One officer picked up a confiscated pistol and demonstrated it to the journalists.''

Lin said she heard a bang and saw Su collapse on the ground.

"White smoke was rising in the room and crushed stone-like things were scattered all around,'' the newspaper quoted her as saying. "Su was injured in the foot, leg and chest.''

(Shanghai Daily July 18, 2008)