A sulphur dioxide leak sent184 local residents, some living more than a kilometer from the accident, to hospital in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, confirmed local officials Monday afternoon.

The accident occurred at 4:50 PM Sunday, when sulphur dioxide leaked from the Hubei Yihua Dajiang Fertilizer Co., Ltd, said HuangChun, head of the Yichang Bureau of Work Safety.

By Monday noon, 163 had been released from hospital while ten were still being treated for poisoning.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2006)