(Breaking News). Authorities confirmed that at least 38 people were killed while five others were injured when a road accident on Hukun Expressway in Hunan Province triggered a massive explosion Saturday morning.

Police said a freight van loaded with highly-flammable liquid rammed into a passenger coach on its way to Kunming from Shanghai early morning on Saturday, causing a fire that triggered the explosion.

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Authorities said the van could be carrying alcohol and that the passenger vehicle was capable of carrying 53 people. As of press time, the total number of passengers onboard the coach has not been determined yet.

The explosion instantly killed the driver of the freight van. The police initially estimated the number of fatalities at 38 but exact casualties were still under investigation.

TagsChina Vehicle Crash, Hukun Expressway Accident