7 arrested for chemical leak in Fujian

Seven people have been arrested for a chemical leak on Nov. 4 that affected around 20 hectares of fish farms in east China's Fujian Province, local authorities said Wednesday.

Police in the city of Quanzhou arrested three people from Fujian Donggang Petrochemical Industry Co. Ltd., which caused the leak when loading C9 aromatic solvent into a tanker at a local port, as well as four crew members on the vessel.

A massive cleanup operation was initiated after the leak. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, all chemicals in the fish farming area have been cleared, according to the local information office.

A total of 53 people were sent to a local hospital after suspected contact with the chemicals following the incident, and 11 stayed in the hospital for further observation. So far, two of the patients remain hospitalized.