About 70 children were hospitalised yesterday after they inhaled gas leaked from Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd at Chavara, near Kollam, in the Southern Indian state of Kerala, Indian media reported.

Authorities have temporarily shut down the plant.

The children were students of the Chavara Government Higher Secondary School, which is located in the same neighbourhood, said the news reports.

They were rushed to the hospital after they complained of nausea and breathing problems.

According to reports, the condition of most of them has stabilised and none are in serious condition.

The incident sparked protest as residents in the vicinity are concerned about safety over what seemed to be a recurring problem.

One of the reports claimed that gas leak from the same factory had left more than two dozen people hospitalised on Wednesday.

- Bernama