Truck flips on road in eastern China, killing 16

BEIJING: Local authorities say 16 people were killed when a truck flipped over while making a turn in a mountainous area of eastern China.

The accident Tuesday night happened as a group of agricultural workers were headed back to their homes in Jiangxi province after picking pears in neighboring Fujian province.

The Jiangxi provincial government said that 24 of the 28 on board the truck were women. Ten survivors were hospitalized with injuries.

Agricultural workers are often transported in open trucks or three-wheeled pickups that offer little protection in the event of accidents.

China has been trying to improve its poor road safety record following a string of tragedies involving school busses.

Most accidents are caused by overloaded vehicles, tired or unsafe drivers, and badly maintained roads. (AP)