Thirty-three people had to be hospitalized and the government will bear their expenses, he said.

Local residents took to the streets to protest over the incident, and under pressure, the government, meanwhile, suspended two officials of the environment department.

The plant was set up in 2003.

In April, the government ordered to stop production at the plant, which produces zinc sulfate, an ingredient used for making fodder, when two local residents allegedly died after they were exposed to the toxic metal.