A CHINESE man died after internet gaming for three days straight, the Beijing Times reported today.

The unnamed man, in his thirties, had not slept, had hardly eaten and had barely moved from his computer when he collapsed and slipped into a coma Monday evening at an internet cafe outside Beijing.

The man, who had reportedly spent more than 10,000 yuan ($1,500) on internet gaming over the past month, was rushed to a nearby clinic but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Police removed several computers from the cafe for investigation but have ruled out homicide and were examining specific causes of death.

The incident highlights China's increasing number of internet addicts, which according to researchers has risen to more than 30 million.

Originally published as Man dies after three-day gaming binge