TAIPEI, July 19 (Xinhua) — A tourist coach caught fire in a highway near Taoyuan Airport on Tuesday, killing 26 people on board, including 24 mainland tourists from northeastern Liaoning Province.

The other two were the driver and the tourist guide, both from Taiwan, according to Taiwan authorities. The cause is under investigation.

The crash occurred just before 1 p.m. local time on the No. 2 National Freeway that serves the capital Taipei's airport, CNA reported. The bus was westbound on the highway and headed for the airport, where the tour group was due to fly back home after seven days in the country.

The Taoyuan City fire department deployed 23 vehicles and 60 firefighters to join the firefighting and rescue operation. After extinguishing the fire, the crew reported finding a number of burned bodies.
The Tourism Bureau confirmed that the group of tourists was from Dalian City in Liaoning Province, China.