GUANGZHOU - A crude oil leakage in south China's Guangdong province has been contained and drinking water in a nearby city was not contaminated, sources with the local government said on Monday.

About 10 tons of crude oil leaked out of a pipe line in Mazhang district, Zhanjiang city, into a nearby river around 3:40 pm on Sunday, the Zhanjiang government said.

The source of the leakage is about 350 meters away from Chikan Reservoir, which is a backup drinking water source.

Authorities in Zhanjiang have shut off the pipe line valve and taken measures to prevent oil from further spreading, the sources said.

More than 8,000 residents of nearby villages have been relocated, they said.

The local government has mobilized personnel to collect oil from the river. No oil has been found in the reservoir so far, indicating that drinking water in Zhanjiang might not be contaminated, the sources said.

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