The bus caught fire between the Jinshan and Caitang BRT stations about 6:30 p.m. on Friday. (Photo: Sina Weibo)
The burnt-out wreckage of the BRT bus. (Photo: xinhuanet)
At least 20 people died and more than 30 injured, after a BRT (bus rapid transit) bus caught fire and exploded about 6:30 p.m. this evening in Xiamen, according to the press office of the Xiamen Municipal Government.
The bus, which was running on BRT Line 1, caught fire between the Jinshan and Caitang BRT stations at 6:30 p.m. The fire started at one of its tyres and spread to the fuel tank which exploded, according to preliminary investigations by traffic police.
Among the severely injured people, 2 were examinees who were taking the national college entrance exams which started on Friday, the Xiamen Daily newspaper reported.
The fire was put out at about 6:50 p.m. and six sections of the guard rail along the bus-only elevated road were burnt beyond repair. Buses heading towards Jimei and Tong'an were suspended after the incident.
Further investigation is underway, according to police.
SOURCE: WOX News