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| Photo taken on Jan. 6, 2013 shows Shanxi Tianji Coal Chemical Group which is responsible for aniline leakage accident in Changzhi, north China's Shanxi Province. A flexible tube rupture at Shanxi Tianji Coal Chemical Group caused aniline to leak into the Zhuozhang River, the upper reaches of the Zhanghe River, on December 31. Aniline is a toxic chemical widely used as precursors in the manufacture of pigments, herbicides and other chemicals. Authorities in Shanxi said they received the report on Jan. 5, and that an emergency response had been initiated to stop the leak and clean up the pollutants. (Xinhua/Fan Minda) |
LUCHENG, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 9 tonnes of aniline leaked by a chemical plant in north China's Shanxi Province have ended up in the Zhuozhang River, local authorities said Sunday.
An initial investigation revealed that a loose drainage valve in the plant, which is owned by the Tianji Coal Chemical Industry Group, was to blame for the leak.
The leak was discovered on Dec. 31, 2012, when plant employees spotted aniline leaking from a broken pipe while conducting a routine check, a company spokesman said.
Another 30 tonnes of spilled aniline have been contained in a nearby disused reservoir, the local emergency response headquarters said.
A statement from the municipal government of Changzhi said the leak has not resulted in any deaths, adding that the river's water quality has been improving.
Temperatures recorded since the end of November have marked the lowest to hit China in 28 years
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