Traffic accident leaves 19 dead, 20 hurt in E China

The number of casualties in a deadly traffic accident from the early hours of Sunday in Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi province, has increased to 19, according to local authorities.

The accident happened at 12:49 am on a highway in Youlan township in Nanchang county. It also injured another 20. All the injured have been hospitalized, the publicity department of Nanchang county government said.

The police are still investigating the cause, it added.

The ongoing heavy fog may be to blame for the tragedy. In one of its posts on Sunday, local traffic police warned drivers of the low visibility caused by the fog in the county, saying the weather is prone to cause traffic accidents.

Aside from turning on the clearance lamps of their vehicles, drivers are highly suggested to keep a safe distance from other cars. They should also avoid changing lanes randomly, it said.

Some local media reported that a heavy truck rushed into a funeral procession and caused the accident.