A diketene leak at a chemical plant in east China's Shandong Province has resulted in 131 people being hospitalized, local authorities said Tuesday.
Some 30 kg of diketene leaked on June 21 from Beichen Biotechnology Co., Ltd. in Shenxian County. As of 6 p.m. on Monday, 131 locals, including 43 children, had been admitted to hospital.
According to the county government, 11 people had checked out by Tuesday morning, and those who remain in hospital were stable.
A preliminary investigation shows that the leakage was caused by negligence.
Officials with the county's environmental bureau said the company has been ordered to close permanently.
