Sulphur dioxide leakage that occurred at zero hour Tuesday in a chemical firm in Yidu City, central China's Hubei Province, knocked down 108 people living nearby.

All the 108 people, who had symptoms of respiratory diseases including coughing and distress, have been hospitalized. Eighteen of them were seriously poisoned, but were out of danger, according to doctors of the city hospital.

Lightning strike-inflicted blackout caused failure of the sulphur dioxide-insulating tower system in the Chuxing Company, leading to the accidental leakage of sulphur dioxide, according to the city government sources.

The Yidu City government has set up task forces to investigate the accident, deal with the accident and oversee the treatment of the sickened people.

The accident site has been closed and the source of leakage is put under control.

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2004)