(LEAD) Three injured in chlorine gas leak at chemical factory

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details)

ULSAN, May 17 (Yonhap) -- Chlorine gas leaked at a chemical factory in southeastern South Korea on Thursday, leaving three people with difficulty breathing and other symptoms.

The accident happened at a Hanwha Chemical factory in Ulsan around 10 a.m., officials said.

At least three affected people complained of difficulty breathing and a runny nose, and two of them were taken to a hospital, officials said.

More people could have been injured.

A worker near the factory said the leak made his eyes sting so much that he could barely open them and that the bad smell from the leak was strong.

Police are looking into what caused the leak, officials said.
(END)