Multiple Chinese tourists dead in traffic accident in New Zealand

WELLINGTON - Multiple Chinese tourists were dead in a serious bus crash near New Zealand's Mamaku on Wednesday.

The Chinese embassy in New Zealand has launched an emergency plan. Wu Xi, Chinese ambassador to New Zealand, is heading to the scene.

New Zealand police confirmed that multiple people were dead in a serious crash on State Highway 5, near Mamaku, about 20 minutes drive north of Rotorua, where a bus has rolled.

It is believed more than 20 people were on board of the bus at the time of the crash.

Police said the number of fatalities has not yet been confirmed. A number of those passengers are reported to have been injured and they were being transported to both Waikato and Rotorua.