Workers at a nuclear plant in southern India have fallen ill after radioactive heavy water contaminated their drinking water.

An unspecified number of workers at the Kaiga plant, in the southern state of Karnataka, have been advised to visit doctors for excessive exposure to radiation since November 25.

The plant director said on Sunday that the incident appears to be an act of sabotage rather than caused by an accidental leak.

“Mischief is not ruled out. Investigations are on,” Reuters quoted J.P. Gupta as saying.

However, officials say the incident did not affect public safety or the environment.

The plant is located on the west coast of India, 450 kilometers (280 miles) from Bangalore.

The cause of the contamination is being investigated.

On December 3, 1984, a leak at Union Carbide's Bhopal factory, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, sent a barrage of toxic gases through the city.

At least 8000 people died in the immediate aftermath.

JR/HGL