(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-24 17:43

HANGZHOU - A toxic chemical leak has killed one person and left four others ill in Linhai city of east China's Zhejiang Province Friday.

A container truck loaded with 15 barrels each containing 270 kg of liquid double phosgene (trichloroacetic acide methyl chloride) was found to be leaking on its way from Wuxi, Jiangsu province, to Wenzhou city at about 3:00 pm Friday.

Fire fighters were called to the site, and heard sound of sizzling from inside the truck. It then emitted white smoke that later turned black.

Double phosgene is highly toxic and can damage one's lungs if inhaled in.

The firemen immediately evacuated more than 1,000 residents living nearby, and a cordon was immediately set up. Four firemen spent four hours locating the leaking barrel, which they plugged. The other 14 barrels were transferred to anther truck and the site was cleaned.

The truck driver, the only person on the truck, died in hospital for inhaling in the toxic gas. Four onlookers were poisoned and taken to hospital for treatment. All of them are out of danger.