4 detained over doomsday rumors

Four people have been detained in southwest China's Chongqing municipality for spreading doomsday rumors.

According to local public security bureau, two men who allegedly used a loudspeaker to proclaim the end of the world on Sunday received 10 days of administrative detention.

While another two who supposedly handed out related pamphlets on Wednesday received the same penalty.

Rumors stating that the world will end on Dec. 21, 2012 are popular in China, despite having been debunked several times.

Police say local residents should abide by the law and refrain from spreading doomsday rumors.

And those who spread rumors to cause trouble, defraud others or disturb social order, will be punished.

According to scientists, the rumors are a misinterpretation of the ancient Maya calendar, and the sun will still rise on Dec. 21.