At least 38 people were killed when a lorry loaded with flammable liquid crashed into a bus and exploded in southern China, state media has reported.

The state-run Xinhua news agency said the lorry hit the rear of the bus in the early hours of Saturday on the Hukun expressway in Hunan province.

The crash triggered a fire and explosion, with the flames spreading to at least three other vehicles.

Five people were also injured in the crash.

Images broadcast on Chinese state television showed both vehicles severely burned and what appeared to be passenger belongings scattered on the road.