At least five dead in tanker truck explosion in central China

(Xinhua) Updated: 2016-03-20 07:55

Firefighters spray water to put out fire after a tanker truck reportedly exploded on a highway in central China's Hunan province, March 19, 2016. [Photo/IC]

CHANGSHA -- Five people died and twenty others were injured after a truck exploded on a highway on Saturday in central China's Hunan province, according to local authorities.

The truck suspected to be loaded with flammable and combustible materials exploded at 8:40 pm on a section of the highway linking Beijing to Hong Kong and Macao in Yueyang city.

Two sedan cars and two trucks were ignited and another seven vehicles were damaged by the explosion, according to the provincial traffic authorities.

Among the injured, four are still in critical conditions.

Further investigation is under way.