Rail tanker loaded with 23 tonnes of liquid gas falls into river in E China

HANGZHOU, July 1 -- A 50-tonne rail-tanker loaded with 23 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas fell into a river in east China's Zhejiang Province Tuesday and continues to leak Wednesday, a fire department official told Xinhua.

The tanker fell four meters into the river in Qingkeng'ao Village in Chatian Town, Longquan City, said a city firefighting department official.

As of Wednesday noon, the tanker had been examined by firefighters and two leaks had been found and patched, said the official.

The leak is under control but has not yet been stopped, said the firefighters. They said they were pouring water on the tank, which was partly submerged in the river, to prevent it from exploding in the high summer temperature.

The municipal firefighting department has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.