Sixty-five victims from the toxic chemical leak last month in central China had recovered by Thursday, while 66 were still receiving treatment in hospital, local health authorities said.

The remaining victims were expected to be discharged within a week, said Guan Xiaofeng, a doctor at the Central Hospital of Xiaogan City, Hubei Province.

The accident happened at around 9:00 PM on Jan. 30 when a truck carrying dimethyl sulfate leaked the chemical along a five-kilometer stretch of No. 107 National Highway near Xiaogan City.

A man who was driving behind the truck, died from inhaling the poisonous fumes and 131 villagers and passers-by were hospitalized with chest pains and stinging eyes.

A tanker crack has been blamed for the leak, according to local public security department.

The truck belongs to Jinlong Chemical Co. in Zibo, east China's Shandong Province. It was registered for carrying methanol, but it was actually used to transport the much more toxic dimethyl sulfate, Xiaogan police said.

The two tanker drivers, who fled after the incident, have given themselves up to police.

Dimethyl sulfate is a highly dangerous carcinogen which, if inhaled or absorbed through the skin, can severely burn the eyes and cause permanent loss of vision. It can also damage the liver and kidneys, and affect the heart.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2007)