Lightning caused a chemical leak at a factory in central China on Tuesday that led to 108 people living nearby being taken to hospital with breathing difficulties, Xinhua news agency said. The accident happened in the middle of the night at a chemical firm in Yidu in the province of Hubei, when lightning caused a blackout that damaged a sulphur dioxide insulating tower, the agency said without giving details.
"All the 108 people, who had symptoms of respiratory diseases including coughing and distress, have been hospitalised," Xinhua said, adding 18 had been "seriously poisoned" but were out of danger.
Thirty thousand people in south-western Chongqing were forced to evacuate their homes in April after a chemical plant spewed toxic chlorine gas into the air.
Chongqing was rocked by a gas field explosion in December 2003 that killed 234 people and turned it into a death zone.
Industrial and coal mine accidents kill thousands each year, with lax safety measures and outdated equipment often to blame.
Chinese factories have been pumping out goods at full steam to meet industrial and consumer demand, powering an economy that grew 9.1 percent in 2003.
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