At least 160 people, including children, were hospitalised after being struck down by arsenic poisoning in northeast China.

Toxic waste leakage from a local copper plant in Liaoning province is suspected to be the cause of the poisoning, the state-run China Daily reported on Saturday.

A breach in a wastewater disposal pipe of Jiayi Copper Smelting Plant, which has been on trial operation for 20 days, is suspected to have resulted in the penetration of arsenic-polluted water into a well used by local people, it said.

The first batch of 26 patients was admitted to the hospital on December six. The number has been increasing since then. Ducks, cats and hens in the area have also died in large numbers, the report said.

Some residents felt dizzy, tired and had difficulty in breathing. Some even vomited and developed fever, the paper quoted a local resident as saying.

Arsenic can cause great harm to the heart, liver and kidneys if people absorb the toxic chemical in an excessive amount.

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