A three-wheeled vehicle plunged into a creek in foggy conditions in central China yesterday killing at least 14 children on their way to primary school, state media reported.

The accident happened close to Hengyang city in Hunan province, state news agency Xinhua said.

Nine children died on the scene while another four died later in hospital. One child who was initially reported as missing was later found dead and five were being treated in hospital. Almost all the children of primary school age in the village had been killed, state television said.