A tour bus caught fire in central Hunan Province of  China on Friday killing 26 people and injuring 28 others.

Local authorities said, the injured were rushed to local hospitals for treatment. Among them, the condition of five was said to be critical.

The accident occurred when the 59-seater bus from neighbouring Hunan province suddenly caught fire on a highway in Hanshou County in the city of Changde.

The bus had 53 passengers, two drivers and a tour guide at the time of the incident.

The two drivers were detained and an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.