WUHAN - A 24-year-old female singer died early last week when she was having plastic surgery in central China's Hubei Province, local authorities confirmed Wednesday, as postings about her death drew extensive attention from Internet users.

Wang Bei, once a contestant in the popular talent show Super Girl, died on Nov 15 in an anesthetic accident during plastic surgery, said a spokesman for the health bureau of Jiang'an District, Wuhan City, capital of Hubei.

Before the announcement, rumors about Wang's death spread quickly on the Internet. Many of Wang's fans, who believed she was actually still alive, said the news was malicious while some others suspected Wang deliberately spread the news to attract attention.

Wang's mother, who took the same cosmetic surgery to narrow her lower jawbone, is currently recovering in Zhong'ao Cosmetic Surgery Hospital.

Zhong'ao Cosmetic Surgery Hospital is a legal medical facility administered by the health bureau of Jiang'an District, the spokesman, who declined to give his name, said.

Wang's death has triggered concerns about the safety of plastic surgery in China. "I wonder who would dare to get plastic surgery after hearing about this tragedy," Internet user Ye Xiaolun said.

"Wang Bei's death was inevitable. I hope the tragedy can raise people's awareness on the slack supervision of the plastic surgery industry," Internet user Pu Jing said.

As demand for plastic surgery surges in China, some doctors not trained in the field are carrying out plastic surgery, which is risky and irresponsible, said Zhang Huabin, a professor of plastic surgery with Guangdong Medical College.