VietNamNet Bridge - Hundreds of people have set up tents and barricades in front of the gate of the Vietnam - France Steel Factory to protest the company’s discharge of harmful smoke in the environment.

The incident took place at 7A Village in Dien Nam Dong Commune of Dien Ban District, in the central province of Quang Nam in the last few days.

According to local residents, the Vietnam - France Steel Company was established in 2009, based in 7A Village, specializing in refining scrap into steel products.

For a long time, the factory has discharged smoke and dust both day and night, affecting the health of people. Although local people had reported the problem to the authorities several times, environmental pollution has not been solved. This company has recently operated at its full capacity so the pollution has become serious.

According to people, no matter whether it is day or night, though the doors are closed, smoke still storms into houses, making it hard to breathe.

"We have had to endure this situation for more than five years. The government has known about the problem but the situation has not improved, so we have to surround the factory to force them to have measures to restrict the fumes," a villager said.

Because of the encirclement, scrap trucks could not enter the factory for the past several days so the plant’s nearly 300 workers had to cease production.

Officials of Dien Nam Dong Commune said they had repeatedly asked the factory to take measures to protect the environment but they had deliberately violated the rules.

To ensure security, the commune authorities sent officers and policemen to the scene to ask people to leave.

Thu Ly