Authorities are still trying to find clues to determine what caused an explosion inside a fully-packed bus in Guangzhou City Tuesday night, killing two people and injuring up to 30 others.

Guangzhou's public security bureau said the explosion happened at rush hour, around 7:30 p.m., from inside passenger bus number 301 serving the pivotal road that links the northern and southern part of the city.

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Authorities said the bus had just pulled over at the Nandunhe stop along Guangzhou avenue when the blast occurred.

Witnesses saw people rushing out of the bus immediately after the explosion, while flames were beginning to spread from the rear portion of the vehicle.  

In seconds, flames engulfed the whole of the vehicle.

People from stores and establishments in the area and taxicab drivers rushed to help get passengers away from the burning bus, and city rescue units arrived within minutes.

Most of the victims were rushed to at least three hospitals in the city, many with burn-related injuries; eight of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

Some of the volunteer rescuers described passengers with almost 80 percent burns on the body, while another volunteer saw a man with both legs blown off.

Authorities heading rescue operations last night in Guangzhou said some of the injured were people waiting at the bus stop.

Police spent the night going over the wreckage of the burn, trying to find clues as to the cause of the blast, and may be able to come up with something definite Wednesday morning.

TagsGuangzhou, bus explosion