The accident took place Monday afternoon in the city of Tianshui when a heavy-duty truck with three onboard collided with an oncoming minivan and then a passenger bus, which were carrying a total of 47 people, due to brake failure.

Twenty-four people, including the truck driver, were killed on the spot, and three died later, one on the way to hospital and another two after the failure of medical treatment.

Many of the 22 injured were still in critical conditions, doctors said.

The truck, registered in the eastern province of Anhui, was carrying bicycle wheels from Tianshui to Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province, when the accident took place.

Police are identifying the victims and investigating into the cause of the accident.