Romanian officials say five people have died and 28 people were injured when a bus slammed into the back of a dump truck carrying a load of sand.

The interior ministry said the crash occurred early Friday near the city of Ploiesti, some 60 kilometers (38 miles) north of Bucharest.

The bus was carrying commuters from a village to Ploiesti.

Government official Rodica Paraschiv said four men, including the driver, and one woman were killed.

Dozens of firefighters joined medical staff and police in the in the rescue operation. Eight ambulances took the injured to a hospital in Ploiesti.

Officials said there were no marks of braking on the road. An investigation is underway.