43 killed when van carrying flammable liquid hits bus in China

Beijing (CNN) — A van carrying flammable liquid rammed into a bus in China early Saturday, sparking an explosion that left 43 people dead and state media reported.

Both drivers were among the fatalities in the accident in Hunan Province, according to Xinhua news agency. Another person in the van was also killed.

Six people were injured, four seriously, according to state-run CCTV.

The fate of the other passengers is unclear. The bus had a capacity of 53 people, Xinhua said.

The accident destroyed five cars.

Authorities extinguished the fire, but a rescue effort is under way.

CCTV also reported that the bus operator was blacklisted by local authorities for violating safety rules.