SHANGHAI • Eighteen people were injured yesterday, three seriously, after a van caught fire and ploughed into pedestrians on a crowded pavement in central Shanghai..
SHANGHAI • Eighteen people were injured yesterday, three seriously, after a van caught fire and ploughed into pedestrians on a crowded pavement in central Shanghai.
Shanghai police said a preliminary investigation indicated that the crash during the morning rush hour was an accident.
It said the fire was caused by the driver – a 40-year-old man surnamed Chen – smoking a cigarette inside the vehicle. He worked for a metalware company in Shanghai and had no criminal history.
Mr Chen, who is currently receiving treatment, is suspected of illegally transporting dangerous substances, police said.
In a short statement, the Shanghai government said the incident occurred on a road running next to People’s Square, and 18 people were injured.
Mr Zhang Sai, a security guard at an adjacent building, told Agence France-Presse that the van veered out of control and mounted the kerb, striking pedestrians and sending others scurrying to get out of the way.
„It happened at around 8.50am. The van was on fire before it crashed on the sidewalk,“ he said.
