Five killed in China road accident

At least five people were killed and nine injured in a road accident on Thursday in China's Xintai City, authorities said.

A bus carrying 26 people hit the pier of an overpass on the S31 highway in moderate rain, Xinhua news agency reported.

The coach was travelling from Shanghai to Beijing.

The injured have been taken to hospital. Two have suffered serious injuries.

Police have detained the driver. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the accident.