Flames and smoke shoot up to sky after a tanker truck reportedly exploded on a highway in central China's Hunan province, March 19, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

CHANGSHA -- At least two people died and two others were injured after a tanker truck exploded on a highway on Saturday in central China's Hunan province, according to local authorities.

The explosion occurred at around 8 pm on a section of the highway linking Beijing to Hong Kong and Macao in Yueyang city, according to Yueyang's emergency response office.

The accident caused rear-end collisions of six vehicles. Traffic control has been imposed on the highway section.