7 dead in NE China acid leak

SHENYANG - Seven people have been confirmed dead after 2,000 cubic meters of sulphuric acid leaked in Northeast China's Liaoning province on Friday afternoon, local authorities said on Sunday.

Rescue efforts ended Sunday at the scene in Fangshen village, Jianping county, where a sulphuric acid tank suddenly broke and leaked at 3 pm on Friday.

Local environmental protection authorities said monitoring showed the water quality and air near the site were normal. Workers are still transferring the remains of the leaked material and treating the polluted land.

The private factory which owned the tank was illegal, said the official.

The cause of the tank breach remains unclear.