Van-coach collision triggers explosion in C China, heavy casualties suspected

This photo taken by a cellphone on July 19, 2014 shows resucers work at the scene of a vehicle collision on a section of the Hukun Expressway in central China's Hunan Province. The accident happened at around 3 a.m., when a freight van loaded with flammable liquid rear ended a passenger coach capable of carrying 53 people, according to the provincial traffic police. Four passengers managed to escape with major burns, while the conditions of the rest remain unclear. (Xinhua)

Heavy casualties are feared after a vehicle crash triggered fire and explosion on a central China highway early Saturday morning, police said.

The accident happened at around 3 am on a section of the Hukun (Shanghai to Kunming) Expressway in Hunan Province, when a freight van loaded with flammable liquid, probably alcohol, rear ended a passenger coach capable of carrying 53 people.

A total of five vehicles were destroyed in the accident. The driver of the van and a passenger in it died at the scene, according to the provincial traffic police.

Four people managed to escape with major burns, while the conditions of the rest remain unclear.

The fire has been put out as of 8 am The provincial government has ordered all-out rescue efforts, which is still under way.