Over 10,000 evacuated in China after tankers' collision

Beijing, May 16 (IANS) Over 10,000 residents had to be evacuated in China after two tankers carrying dangerous chemicals collided in Zhejiang province, Xinhua reported Wednesday.

The two vehicles, carrying 27 tonnes of vinyl chloride and 20 tonnes of resin respectively, collided and overturned in Hangzhou city Monday night, an official said.

Following the collision, residents living within a 500-metre radius of the crash site were evacuated, while those within one kilometre radius were advised to relocate, the official added.

Workers transferred nine tonnes of vinyl chloride from the tank into another tank to reduce its weight and to remove it before a total of 11,400 residents were allowed to return to their homes, said a government official.