At least 133 people were killed in 71 road accidents in China during the first four days of the weeklong National Day holiday beginning Oct. 1, the police said Tuesday.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, 31 traffic accidents and 44 deaths were reported in the country from 12 AM Oct. 1 to 12 AM Oct. 2, and the figures were 32 and 68, and eight and 21 in the following two days, respectively.

The number of people injured in the accidents is yet to be known.

As most of the accidents took place on roads to tourist destinations, the traffic police in many places have taken measures to control the number of private cars heading for major tourist resorts to ensure smooth traffic flows in the scenic areas.

(Xinhua News Agency October 5, 2005)