Cyanide spill in Chinese river

Officials in northern China are battling to stave off an ecological disaster after a chemical truck plunged into a river spilling 5.2 tonnes of sodium cyanide into the water.

The authorities have been forced to build a dam to contain the pollution in the Wuguan River and issue a ban on drinking water, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

The truck veered into the river in Danfeng County, Shaanxi province, before dawn on Friday, but the accident was only reported in the state media on Tuesday.

Health officials have administered first-aid to residents near Wuguan River and stopped them drinking the water, Xinhua said.

Drugs have also been released into the poisoned river to decompose and neutralise the chemicals.

Wildlife

An official said there had been no reports of deaths as a result of water contamination in the area, 960 km (600 miles) south-west of Beijing.

Xinhua did not say how the spill had affected the river's wildlife, but it added that long-term plans were being drawn up to repair damage to the environment.

"The polluted area will continue to be under strict control and monitoring," it added.