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)