Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao said it would compensate over 4,000 diners who had visited one of its outlets in Shanghai.

Shanghai police say two 17-year-olds were placed in "administrative detention" following the incident at a restaurant where diners simmer food at their own tables.

"We fully understand that the distress caused to our customers by this incident cannot be fully compensated for by any means," Haidilao said in a statement