A fatal traffic accident killed 24 people and injured at least
20 others Monday afternoon in northwest China's Gansu Province, according to local traffic
police.
The accident occurred near Guataishan of Tianshui city at about
1:40?PM Monday when a heavy-duty truck loaded with bicycle
wheels collided with a coming mini-bus and then a coach due to
brake failure.
Seven people were killed on the spot and 17 died after medical
treatment failed. Many of the injured were still in critical
conditions, said local traffic police.
The truck, registered in the eastern province of Anhui, was
carrying bicycle wheels from Tianshui City to Lanzhou, capital of
Gansu Province, when the accident took place.
Upon hearing reports, leading officials in Gansu Province,
including Vice Governor Luo Xiaohu and the provincial public
security deputy director Wang Luwei, rushed to the spot to guide
rescue efforts and investigation.
Casualties of the accident are to be confirmed and investigation
into the cause of the accident is underway.
(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2006)
