38 killed in China road accident

, Jul 19: At least 38 people were killed and five others injured today when a lorry carrying flammable liquid collided with a bus, triggering fire and explosion on a highway in southern Chinese province of Hunan.

Stated to be one of the worst accidents in China in recent times, a freight van loaded with flammable liquid, probably alcohol, rear ended a passenger bus capable of carrying 53 people on the Hukun in Hunan Province. A total of five vehicles were destroyed in the accident, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The driver of the van and a passenger in it died at the scene, according to the provincial traffic police. The injured have been rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment. Exact casualties are still under investigation. A joint task team led by senior officials with the State Administration of Work Safety, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Transport is rushing to the site for rescue and investigation.

The fire has been put out at 8 a.m. The provincial government has ordered all-out rescue efforts, which is still under way, the report said.

PTI