Chemical leak downs 17 in Laguna

LAGUNA, Philippines — Seventeen people were hospitalized after inhaling chemicals that leaked from a junk shop in Cabuyao City in this province on Tuesday.

The victims, who were workers of the Scrap Trading Co. located in Barangay Banay-banay, complained of dizziness and difficulty in breathing.

Shop supervisor Ramon Villareal said the workers were moving a metal tank containing chemicals when the substance leaked and produced a strong odor.

Probers said the chemical could be chlorine-based due to its appearance.