14 people including driver die in road traffic accident on highway in N.China. (Photo: VCG)

A road traffic accident on Tuesday afternoon in which a large bus hit a tunnel wall in North China's Shanxi Province killed 14 people including the driver and caused multiple casualties, according to Shanxi highway traffic police, China Central Television reported on Wednesday.

The accident occurred when the vehicle struck the wall of Xijieta tunnel in the Shanxi section on the G59 Hohhot-Beihai Highway heading north, leaving a number of people trapped. So far, 37 people have been treated.

According to the report, the vehicle involved in the accident was registered in Central China's Henan Province, and the vehicle was carrying a total of 51 people. Red Star News reporters from Shanxi high-speed traffic police verified that the accident vehicle is a tourist bus, and the driver died.

Police quickly arrived on the scene after receiving an emergency call, and coordinated medical, fire, road administration and other relevant departments to carry out rescue operations.

The effected section of the highway has resumed traffic, and the cause of the accident is under further investigation.

Global Times