At least 38 people have been killed when a lorry carrying flammable liquid collided with a long-distance bus in the southern Chinese province of Hunan.

The official Xinhua news agency said the lorry drove into the back of the bus on a motorway early on Saturday causing a fire and an explosion.

Five vehicles in all were involved in the accident.

Correspondents say the frequency of accidents has caused anger over poor road maintenance and unsafe transport.

The accident on the Hukun motorway happened at about 03:00 local time (19:00 GMT Friday), Xinhua said.

It took firefighters about five hours to put out the fire.

Five people were injured and are now being treated in hospital.

A police investigation is under way.