Across China: Henan

Five killed in truck inferno

Five people were killed when a bank's armored van veered off the road into a ditch and exploded into flames in Henan province. The accident happened near Kafang village, Xichuan county, on Saturday about 4 pm, said Chang Jianhui, director of the Xichuan county public security bureau.

Villagers attempted to save the trapped people, but the custom-made vehicle was too tight to be cut open, Chang said. The armored van, owned by the Xichuan branch of the Agriculture Bank of China, was not carrying any cash at the time of the accident. The five bank workers, including the deputy bank head, were returning home from a local scenic spot, Chang said.