Truck collision kills five, injures two in SW China

KUNMING, June 26 -- Five people died and two were injured when two

trucks collided in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Thursday, local

authorities told Xinhua on Friday.

A truck, carrying 40 tonnes of iron ore, broke through the guardrail in the

middle of the highway and collided with another light-duty truck travelling in

the opposite direction, in Funing County of Wenshan Prefecture of Zhuang

Nationality in Yunnan, an official with the prefecture said.

Four passengers from the light-duty truck died at the site and its driver

died after being sent to hospital, the official said.

The two injured were from the iron ore truck, which was headed from

neighbouring Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to Funing County, and were in

stable conditions, the official said.

The iron ore truck was overloaded, which was the major cause of the

accident, the official said.

Initial investigation showed that the overloaded truck, which should carry

a maximum of 11.15 tonnes, was carrying 40 tonnes of iron ore, the official

said.

Further investigation is underway.