Death toll from Tuesday's coach collision in southwestern Yunnan Province rises to 21 and 34 other were injured, according to local government.

Five seriously-injured were in a critical condition, according to the public security office of Quqing City, where the accident took place.

The two vehicles were running in opposite directions on the highway between the city of Xuanwei and Kunming, the provincial capital, when they collided at around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday. At least 50 passengers were on aboard and 18 people died on the spot.

Witnesses said the accident took place in a section where road maintenance work was underway. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2006)