Shaanxi court holds Taobao and sellers liable in fatal gas stove accident

A court in Shaanxi Province, China, has upheld a ruling holding a manufacturer, a seller, and the e-commerce platform Taobao liable for damages following a fatal carbon monoxide poisoning incident. The tragedy occurred in December 2023 when a man installed a low-cost, uncertified “energy-saving ring” (a gas stove windproof cover) on his kitchen stove to reduce gas expenses.

The device obstructed oxygen flow, causing incomplete combustion and the release of lethal levels of carbon monoxide. This resulted in the deaths of the man's wife and 16-year-old son. Experts noted that while the product is marketed as a way to save fuel, it can trigger dangerous gas concentrations in as little as four minutes.

The court ordered the producer to cover 40% of the compensation, the seller 30%, and held Taobao jointly liable with the seller for the remaining portion. The victims' family was assigned 30% of the fault. Authorities have warned that these “energy-saving rings” are non-standard products that pose severe safety risks and should be removed immediately.