A chemical spill at a mothballed dye plant sent a toxic cloud into the air, injuring 90 people who inhaled the fumes. The chemical spill occurred three miles from the city center at a plant which was shut down in 1997. A 2 ton tank holding nearly pure sulphuric acid ruptured around midday, mixing with rain and producing a poisonous white cloud over Zhanjiang city. No one had died, but some remained in the hospital with serious injuries after inhaling the fumes, which affected people over an area of around a 2,5 km². The city government called in 30 members of a naval chemical warfare unit to contain the spill after local fire and rescue workers could not bring it under control. Soldiers brought the spill under control by digging a hole to contain the chemical and neutralizing the acid with caustic soda.