13 Dead as Overloaded Van Hits Truck in Henan

Thirteen people lost their lives when an overloaded passenger van slammed into a heavy truck on a Henan expressway in the early hours of Thursday. The van, licensed for nine passengers, was carrying sixteen people at the time of impact near Nanyang. Emergency teams reached the scene quickly, but the severity of the crash made rescue efforts extremely difficult. Three survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals, where doctors reported they are now stable. The incident has drawn renewed attention to vehicle overloading, a problem officials admit is widespread on intercity routes. The Ministry of Public Security has already sent a special team to oversee the probe and coordinate relief measures. This accident comes days after a deadly coal mine blast in neighboring Shanxi province that claimed 82 lives. Transport regulators say they will increase roadside checks and impose heavier penalties on operators who ignore seating limits. Families of the victims have been offered counseling and compensation support by local authorities. Investigators continue to review dashcam footage and truck driver statements to determine exact responsibility.