<div id="subtitle">Violent protests break out in coastal China over rank stench from sewage treatment plant</div><div><p>Protests drawing up to 10,000 people flared in eastern China over a powerful stench from a sewage treatment plant with 10 people hurt in clashes, residents and a human rights monitor said Tuesday.</p><p>The demonstration occurred Monday when angry villagers from Fujian province's Fengwei town confronted 2,000 riot police over a wastewater treatment plant that had fouled local air and water, Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said.</p><p>At least 10 people were injured when the demonstrations turned violent and riot police fired warning shots, the center said in a faxed statement. Two police cars were smashed and protesters took several government officials and factory workers hostage.</p><p>A statement by the local Communist Party's propaganda department acknowledged the protests, saying when workers prepared to enter the factory they were obstructed by villagers.</p><p>The wastewater treatment plant had a problem that sent a major stench through the area on Aug. 19, the statement said. Villagers protested over several days, but the biggest demonstration came Monday</p><p>One resident who lives 330 feet (100 meters) away from the factory said the stench was unbearable.</p><p>"People would puke or faint when they smell it," she said, refusing to give her name for fear of reprisals.</p><p>Mass protests over pollution and other environmental problems occur regularly throughout China.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=57859674&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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