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China tackles river diesel spill China oil spill hits Yellow River
(about 12 hours later)
Hundreds of workers in northern China are trying to contain a pipeline leak that has spilled diesel fuel into a major tributary of the Yellow River. Pollution from a broken oil pipeline in northern China has now reached one of the country's major water sources - the Yellow River, state media say.
About 150,000 litres of diesel poured into the Wei river in Shaanxi province after a construction accident on Wednesday, state media reported. Hundreds of workers had battled to contain the oil upstream, but officials discovered traces in the river itself.
Pollution has been reported up to 33km (21 miles) downstream. Locals have been warned not to use water from the river. The traces of oil were found about 200km (124 miles) upstream from Zhengzhou, where more than two million people rely on the river for water.
The Yellow River is a source of drinking water for millions of people. Health officials have urged local people not to drink the water.
In 2005, a chemical spill in the Songhua river in the north-eastern province of Heilongjiang cut off water supplies to 4 million residents.
Floating damsFloating dams
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Beijing says that although the accident in Shaanxi happened on Wednesday, it has only just come to light. The official Xinhua news agency said: "At present, cities along the river in Henan province have sufficient water resources."
Local officials have in the past attempted to cover up such incidents, fearing reprisals from the central government, our correspondent says. About 150,000 litres of diesel poured into the Wei river in Shaanxi province after a construction accident on Wednesday, state media reported.
The leak occurred on the fuel pipeline operated by the state-run China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) that connects Lanzhou in the north-west province of Gansu with Zhengzhou in central Henan province, according to the China Daily newspaper.The leak occurred on the fuel pipeline operated by the state-run China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) that connects Lanzhou in the north-west province of Gansu with Zhengzhou in central Henan province, according to the China Daily newspaper.
The diesel first went into the Chishui river, a tributary of the Wei.The diesel first went into the Chishui river, a tributary of the Wei.
Around 700 emergency workers are said to be labouring round the clock, using floating dams and solidifying agents to contain the spill.Around 700 emergency workers are said to be labouring round the clock, using floating dams and solidifying agents to contain the spill.
Their task has been helped by the current cold weather in the region.Their task has been helped by the current cold weather in the region.
The Chinese Vice-Premier, Li Keqiang, has told the local government to prevent the slick from reaching the Yellow River.