Panicked and confused passengers streamed off a bus last Saturday after a fire extinguisher was accidentally set off by fellow riders exchanging punches, reports Beijing Evening News.

When the bus stopped at Sanyingmen to let passengers board and disembark, a loud popping sound suddenly cut through the vehicle and white smoke filled the passage near the front door.

Someone began shouting in terror: "It's going to blow, it's going to blow!"

Terrified passengers scrambled off the bus, some running into the courtyard of a restaurant nearby, squatting on the ground and putting their hands over their heads.

Several young women burst into tears.

Passengers were eventually told that the accident and the big noise had been caused during a fight between two groups of people on the bus.

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