Fireworks truck explosion destroys motorway and kills 26 people in China
A truck carrying fireworks exploded on an elevated highway in central China, killing 26 people.
The BBC reports that the blast in Henan province destroyed an 80m section of road and several vehicles fell to the ground 30m below.
According to the Daily Mail, the explosion was so powerful that it shattered the windows of a truck shop more than 50 metres away.
Emergency crews grappled with the mound of vehicles below in a desperate attempt to find survivors.
A truck driver speaking to Chinese television, who was standing 20 metres away from the explosion, said: 'I saw small fireballs falling down one by one.
'I then heard the sounds of clanking and exploding for five to six minutes. My face was covered in dust.'
China National Radio put the number of dead at 26, but the report was later removed from websites with explanation.
The cause of the explosion was not confirmed.
Fireworks are a popular part of Chinese New Year celebrations and they are made, shipped and stored in large quantities for the occasion, sometimes in unsafe conditions.
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