Bus fire in Hunan kills 26; probe underway

The cause of a bus fire that killed 26 people and injured 28 others in Hunan province on Friday is still being investigated, according to authorities.

The injured are receiving treatment at two hospitals in Changde, Hunan province. Eight are in critical condition, mainly with burns and lung injuries, a news release from the National Health Commission said on Saturday.

The fire ignited at around 7:15 pm on Friday. The 59-seat bus, traveling from Henan province with 53 passengers, two drivers and a tour guide aboard, caught fire in Changde's Hanshou county.

The two drivers were detained, the local government said.

The bus is owned by Henan Xunchi Automobile Travel Service. After the fire, the Henan provincial transport department ordered the company to suspend business operations and recall its vehicles to Zhengzhou.

Records show that the company received administrative penalties six times for various violations, including failing to maintain or test its vehicles as required from July 2017 to August 2018, according to the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System.

CHINADAILY - XINHUA