Over 30 people injured in chemical leak in Thai East

PRACHINBURI, THAILAND, November 25 (TNA) - Over 30 people living near a chemical plant in Thailand's eastern Prachinburi Province were rushed to hospital with vomiting on Thursday night, believed to be caused by a chemical leak from the citric acid factory that has been later ordered to be closed indefinitely. The 32 local villagers in Baanbuyaibai in Sri Maha Phote District were rushed to hospital after suffering from irritation, headache and vomiting. An initial probe found that the incident was caused by a leak of sulfuric acid from the factory of Sunshine Biotech International, Co.,Ltd., owned by a Chinese business operator, in the 304 Industrial Zone. Most of the victims are children and the elderly, one of them is a six-year-old girl who was in a serious condition and was placed on a ventilator. Workers of the factory were also reportedly sent to hospital. After inspecting the scene, Prachinburi Governor Suriya Amonrotworawut ordered the indefinite closure of the factory and an official investigation to determine the cause of the chemical leak, which is now under control. Before the incident, an earlier chemical leak at the plant prompted 300 local residents to stage a protest outside the factory, demanding the plant to be closed. Two months ago, officials from the provincial industrial office inspected the factory and told it to immediately stop operation after they found many defects, but the plant started operating without permission on November 22, leading to the latest chemical leak. (TNA)