Police dismissed fear the crash could have been an attack in the heart of the Chinese financial hub.
SHANGHAI — A driver who was smoking while transporting gas tanks lost control of his minivan and plowed into pedestrians in downtown Shanghai on Friday, sending 18 people to hospitals for treatment, local authorities reported.
The crash was caused by a 40-year old man surnamed Chen who accidentally ignited the gas he was transporting, according to Shanghai police, who appeared to dismiss fear the crash could have been an attack in the heart of the Chinese financial hub.
Chen and two other people suffered serious injuries in the crash. The driver works for a Shanghai metals company and had no criminal record but was now under suspicion for transporting dangerous materials, the Shanghai police said.
