13 hospitalized after leak of toxic gas

? Thirteen people were hospitalized complaining of feeling ill after toxic gas leaked from a factory in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, on Saturday, police said.

Phosgene gas used to make chemicals and pharmaceuticals leaked from the plant at Showa Denko K.K.’s Higashi-Nagahara site at about 6 a.m., reportedly causing minor injuries to 12 employees and a 67-year-old local resident.

According to Aizu-wakamatsu Police Station, nine workers and the woman were taken by ambulance to a hospital. The other three made their own way to the hospital.

The Aizu-Wakamatsu Fire Department believes an employee mishandled a pipe valve and was investigating the matter.