15 people hospitalized in leakage at U.S. chemical plant

Fifteen people were hospitalized and hundreds of others were evacuated amid a leakage at a chemical plant in Terre Haute, Indiana's Vigo County, authorities confirmed Sunday.

Sulfur dioxide leaked at Hydrite Chemical Co. on Saturday night and winds carried fumes to nearby Hulman-Mini Speedway, where a crowd was watching auto races, said Joe Swan, a fire department spokesman in Terre Haute.

Some 200 to 300 people were evacuated from the area, with many complaining of respiratory problems including difficult breathing, nasal irritation and nausea, he said.

Oxygen was provided to some patients at the leakage scene.

A total of 15 patients were sent to the Terre Haute Regional Hospital. They were found with symptoms related to the leakage, hospital spokeswoman Ann Marie Foote said.

The situation was brought under control two hours after the leakage, local police said. Enditem