Eight dead in China after vehicle crashes into pedestrians

BEIJING (AFP) - A vehicle crashed into pedestrians in a major city in central China early on Saturday, killing eight people and injuring five, authorities said, without specifying whether the act was intentional or not.

The incident took place shortly after midnight in Changsha, capital of Hunan province, police said in a statement. "A motor vehicle hit pedestrians," it said, adding that eight people had died in the tragedy and another five had been injured, at least some of whom had been hospitalised.

A 55-year-old suspect living in the area has been detained and the investigation is ongoing, the statement said. Road accidents are common in China due to a lack of strict safety controls.

Assaults with vehicles have also occurred, but police have not indicated whether this was a purposeful act.