47 people died in the city of Xiamen in Fujian province in south-east China following a bus fire that was started by a passenger committing suicide. The fire broke out during the evening rush
The fire broke out during the evening rush hour in the rear of the bus, which was part of Xiamen's rapid transport system, in which buses run on elevated tracks above the city centre.
The fire completely destroyed the bus and, in addition to the fatalities, left more than 30 people injured. Police began a criminal investigation after traces of petrol were found on the dieselpowered bus. The fuel tank survived intact.
Witnesses reported that the bus was destroyed within ten minutes; some claim to have heard a series of explosions. Reports suggest that here have been a number of attacks on buses and public buildings in China in recent years by people with personal and sometimes political grievances. In 2009 an unemployed man ignited petrol on a bus, killing himself and 26 others. Another 24 people died the same year in a shuttle bus fire started by a disgruntled steel worker..
