Sparrows die after eating spilled rice, authorities say rice safe   

码头大米散落麻雀抢食成批死亡 官方：米没问题

6月29日，一艘货船在夜明珠码头装运大米的过程中，不少大米散落在了地上，20余只麻雀在此抢食大米后相继死亡。事发后，宜昌市政府、公安局和食品药品监督管理局高度重视，经过对该船装运的4批大米进行取样抽检化验，确认大米并无问题。[查看全文]

(ECNS) – A bunch of sparrows were reported dead at a site where shipped rice was spilled, while local authorities said the cause of death was not the rice quality, according to Sanxia Evening News.

The sparrows died after eating spilled rice on the ground at Yemingzhu wharf in Yichang, Hubei province, on the morning of June 29, according to a local resident.

Local authorities responded that they had sampled and tested the rice in the shipment after receiving the report and found it safe.

Technicians said the sparrows' death might have been caused by overeating. There's also a possibility they ate something poisonous just before they flew to the wharf, they added.

The tons of rice were coming from Northeast China and were on their way to Chongqing.