Chinese officials say a methanol tanker has collided with a bus, killing at least 36 people.

Chinese state media reported the two vehicles burst into flames in the early morning darkness Sunday after the accident near the northern city of Yan'an in Shaanxi province.

Only three people of the 39 passengers on the bus survived the crash.

Serious traffic accidents are common in China, with state media reporting nearly 70,000 people killed last year.