At least nine people were killed after an explosion caused by a leak of an oil tank truck early Friday in south China's Guangdong Province, local authorities said.

Nine bodies have been retrieved after the accident, which occurred at 5:15 a.m. on an expressway in the provincial capital of Guangzhou, said a spokesman with the city's public security bureau.

About 10 injured people have been hospitalized, he said.

The fire caused by the blast was brought under control around 8:30 a.m., according to firefighters.

Rescue efforts are underway.