A collision between a car and a tanker in Shanghai on Monday afternoon has resulted in the leakage of one ton of hydrochloric acid, said local traffic police.

At around 2:20 PM, the tanker, loaded with three tons of hydrochloric acid, crashed into the car at a crossing on the city’s outer ring road, and overturned.

Local public security, traffic, medical and fire fighting departments have rushed to the site to deal with the accident.

Witnesses said there was a strong irritating smell near the scene, and those affected have been hospitalized. There were no further details on their condition.

The accident caused a one hour traffic jam, but fortunately no one was injured during the collision itself.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2005)