Nearly 30 people are feared dead and seven injured when a truck loaded with firecrackers and explosives exploded early on Thursday in east China's Jiangxi province

The explosion blew up a passing bus and caused damages to nearby areas, local police said.

Police initially thought that the explosion occurred inside the double-decker bus.

However, investigation, showed that the bus, from Shenzhen in southern Guangdong province to eastern Zhejiang province, was blown up due to the explosion of the truck.

The accident occurred at Shangrao County on a local expressway, Xinhua news agency reported.

The exact death toll is still unavailable, as the victims were blown to pieces, said local police, who estimate the tragedy may have killed about 30.

The explosion also caused injuries to five local people and two drivers near the scene, who were all hospitalised.

Further investigation is underway.