At least 35 killed in bus fire on China highway

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING

At least 35 people -- including two children -- were killed Sunday when a passenger bus caught fire in China after crashing into guardrails on a highway in central Hunan province.

State news agency Xinhua cited the government of Yizhang County as saying that the vehicle, which was carrying 55 people, burst into flames due to an ensuing oil leak.

Officials corrected an earlier report that said there had been 56 people on board.

At least 11 passengers -- four of whom sustained serious injuries -- were hospitalized.

Police placed the driver of the bus in custody.

State Councilor Guo Shengkun, who also serves as public security minister, responded to the accident by calling for all-out efforts to assist the injured, and determine what led to the incident so as to prevent any such future tragedies.