Deadly Chinese coach fire caused by explosive goods aboard

Inflammablegoods illegally carried by a passenger led to a bus fire, causing 26 deaths in centralChina's Hunan Province on March 22, investigators said on Saturday.

A 51-year-oldmale passenger, surnamed Chen, was among the dead. Twenty-eight people also suffered injuries.

The investigators said Chen was carryingthe goods as a threatto settle a business dispute insouth China's GuangxiZhuang Autonomous Region.

The items exploded and set the 59-seater bus on fire on a highway in Hanshou County in the city of Changde. There were 56 people on board– 53 passengers, two drivers and a tour guide.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)