A truck carrying 10.14 tons of liquid ammonia overturned late Friday in a densely-populated area in central Guizhou Province, causing a spill of the chemical and forcing relocation of 1,500 local residents.

 

The accident took place around 11 p.m. on Friday when the truck driver went uphill to unload his vehicle near Zhongxing Village in Xiaozhaiba Township of Xifeng County, but failed due to factors such as slippery road and inappropriate operation of the driver, said information from Guizhou Provincial Emergency Rescue Center.

 

The venue of the accident has been cordoned off.

 

Rescue workers have been busy using phosphoric acid to neutralize the leaked ammonia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2006)