Two killed, three injured in pipeline burst in China

Two people were killed and three others injured today when a gas pipeline burst and caught fire in China's central Hubei province.

The accident occurred in the township of Cuijiaba, Enshi Tujia Autonomous Prefecture, when a pipeline transporting natural gas from southwestern China to the east burst and caught fire.

Two villagers died at the scene. The three injured were sent to hospital. Rescuers said their injuries were serious.

The pipeline has been closed.

Torrential rain triggered a landslide, which cut off traffic, making it difficult for rescue work, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.