A truck carrying ammonium nitrate exploded on National Highway 331 in Inner Mongolia on Sunday after colliding with another vehicle, killing two people and injuring four, authorities said.
The collision occurred around 11.27am in Manzhouli, Dong Ujimqin Banner, when the chemical transport vehicle and a truck collided head-on. The ammonium nitrate truck caught fire before triggering a massive explosion that sent a giant mushroom cloud into the air.
The blast shockwave shattered windscreens of vehicles parked at a distance and damaged the road surface, according to Beijing Daily.
Two people died and one was injured in the initial collision, with three others injured by the explosion, bringing the total to two dead and four injured.
Footage circulating online showed thick black smoke rising before the explosion.
