2,000 evacuated due to gas leak in China

BEIJING - Toxic gas leak from a chemical plant in China’s Zhejiang province forced the evacuation of over 2,000 people late Friday, officials said.

Around 7 p.m. Friday, thick fumes of thiocarbamide gas were detected from inside a warehouse at the Hangzhou Hexiang Fine Chemical Co. Ltd. in Xiangfu town, Xinhua reported Saturday citing local officials.

Residents nearby complained of a pungent odour and sore throats, even as their eyes began to water, a spokesman said.

Firefighters were called in, who rescued 20 people from the factory and evacuated over 2,000 residents. Water was used to dilute the effect of the gas and the situation was brought under control.

Five firemen, however, had to be hospitalised in Hangzhou, the provincial capital, and one was still in intensive care Saturday morning. The other four were out of danger.