Thousands evacuated after China chlorine leak

BEIJING, Apr 25 (Reuters) Five thousand people have been evacuated after a leak of poisonous chlorine gas at a water-treatment plant in northeast China, Xinhua news agency said today.

The accident happened in east Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province, Xinhua said. Some 2,000 children and teachers at a school and about 3,000 residents were evacuated.

It was not known if there had been any injuries.

Firemen had arrived to try to cap the leak, Xinhua said.

REUTERS LPB PM1400