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China bus fire probed as 'criminal case' | China bus fire probed as 'criminal case' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A deadly bus explosion and fire in south-east China is being treated as "a serious criminal case" and not an accident, state media said. | A deadly bus explosion and fire in south-east China is being treated as "a serious criminal case" and not an accident, state media said. |
At least 47 people died and more than 30 were injured after the fire in the port city of Xiamen on Friday. | At least 47 people died and more than 30 were injured after the fire in the port city of Xiamen on Friday. |
Investigators found traces of petrol on the bus although it was diesel-powered, Xinhua news agency said. | |
Officials closed the entire express bus system, in which buses run on tracks above the city centre. | |
The incident happened during the Friday evening rush hour at about 18:30 local time (10:30 GMT). | The incident happened during the Friday evening rush hour at about 18:30 local time (10:30 GMT). |
Images posted on social media showed survivors with burns and blood-stained clothing. A plume of smoke is seen rising above the city and the bus is later seen as a burned-out wreck. | |
A local government official quoted by Xinhua said the incident was being treated as a serious criminal case and further investigations were under way. | A local government official quoted by Xinhua said the incident was being treated as a serious criminal case and further investigations were under way. |
An initial police investigation showed that the tyres of the bus and the fuel tank were intact, the report said. | |
A team led by Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun has been sent to oversee the investigation, it added. | A team led by Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun has been sent to oversee the investigation, it added. |
The BBC's John Sudworth in Shanghai says there have been a number of attacks on buses and public buildings in China in recent years by people with personal and sometimes political grievances. | The BBC's John Sudworth in Shanghai says there have been a number of attacks on buses and public buildings in China in recent years by people with personal and sometimes political grievances. |
In 2009 an unemployed man ignited petrol on a bus, killing himself and 26 others. Another 24 people died the same year in a shuttle bus fire started by a disgruntled steel worker. | In 2009 an unemployed man ignited petrol on a bus, killing himself and 26 others. Another 24 people died the same year in a shuttle bus fire started by a disgruntled steel worker. |
Xiamen is in Fujian province and has a population of more than three million. | Xiamen is in Fujian province and has a population of more than three million. |
Its express bus system was built in 2008. | Its express bus system was built in 2008. |
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