Twenty-six people were hospitalized after a chemical leak at a factory in east China's Shandong Province early Wednesday.

A sodium hypochlorite tank of Shandong Haihua Group Co., Ltd's plant in Weifang City, suddenly burst at around 6 a.m., leading to a leak of the irritative chemical which can cause discomfort in the respiratory system. The chemical is usually used as a fungicide and an oxidizing bleach.

A total of 58 company staff went to hospital for checkup and treatment. As of Wednesday evening, 26 remained in hospital.

Haihua Group sources said the hospitalized were in stable conditions. The cause of the incident was being investigated.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2008)