PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL A truck carrying fireworks exploded on a highway bridge in central China on Friday (February 1), killing at least five people as it sent vehicles plunging to the ground. The blast, that took place around 8:52 am local time (0052 GMT), destroyed an 80-metre-long section of the bridge, official Xinhua news agency said. Six vehicles had been retrieved from the debris, and eight people were injured, Xinhua added. State television CCTV carried footage showing rescuers digging through debris for survivors. CCTV said over 10 trucks were found crashed under the bridge, and 15 people have been rescued. The report did not give details on the conditions of those rescued. Rescue efforts were still underway, with authorities investigating the cause of the accident, CCTV said. It is a Chinese tradition to set off fireworks to celebrate the lunar New Year, which falls on February 10 this year.