Chemical leaks caused major disturbances in central China's Henan Province and east China's Zhejiang Province, Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday.

Hydrogen chloride leaked at a chemical factory in Henan's Kaifeng County on Saturday, poisoning 376 people. All those who were exposed to the gas received medical treatment, and 57 remained under medical care at press time.

The leak occurred at 7:30 AM on Saturday in Fancun Village, when a condenser in a chemical factory exploded.

Kaifeng officials have formed a special team to investigate the accident.

In Zhejiang Province, a Friday morning traffic accident in Cangnan County led to 30 tons of phenol leaking into the Zhijiang River.

The crisis affected the drinking water of 100,000 local residents, but the chemical was reportedly removed from the water after a 50-hour cleanup effort. By 5 AM Sunday, all water was found acceptable for drinking,

The accident occurred when the truck's brakes failed and it hit a car.

(China Daily July 19, 2004)