Tanker chemical leakage cuts water supply

A chemical tanker that was involved in a crash on Thursday in east China's Jiangxi province contaminated a nearby river, forcing water supply to be cut at a downstream county.

About 26 tonnes of chloroform leaked from the tanker which was rear-ended by a semitrailer at 6:20 am in Ganzhu Township of Guangchang County, contaminating Xujiang River, said an official with the Jiangxi provincial environmental protection department.

No casualties were reported and no one has been found to be poisoned.

Authorities expect the contaminated water to reach the county seat of Nanfeng in the lower reaches at around 2 am on Friday. They have requested the county to cut off water supply from 11 p.m. on Thursday. It is unknown when the water will be back on.

The official said the department has initiated an emergency response, and has retrieved around three tonnes of chloroform that was left in the tanker.

Chloroform is the main raw material for producing solvent, extractant and anaesthetic. Its exposure to light and air generates toxic phosgene, a colorless gas that was used as a chemical weapon during World War I.