Five people died and two were injured when two trucks collided in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Thursday, local authorities told Xinhua on Friday.

A truck, carrying 40 tonnes of iron ore, broke through the guardrail in the middle of the highway and collided with another light-duty truck travelling in the opposite direction, in Funing County of Wenshan Prefecture of Zhuang Nationality in Yunnan, an official with the prefecture said.

Four passengers from the light-duty truck died at the site and its driver died after being sent to hospital, the official said.

The two injured were from the iron ore truck, which was headed from neighbouring Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to Funing County, and were in stable conditions, the official said.

The iron ore truck was overloaded, which was the major cause of the accident, the official said.

Initial investigation showed that the overloaded truck, which should carry a maximum of 11.15 tonnes, was carrying 40 tonnes of iron ore, the official said.

Further investigation is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2009)