Van carrying gas canisters injures 18 in Shanghai crash

A minivan has ploughed into a busy pedestrian area in downtown Shanghai, leaving 18 people needing hospital treatment.

A minivan crashed into pedestrians on a busy pavement in Shanghai on Friday morning in what police believe was an accident.

A total of 18 people were sent to hospitals for treatment after the crash, with three reported to be seriously injured.

Police said they believed the driver was smoking while transporting gas tanks through the heart of the Chinese financial hub.

The van veered onto a pavement and burst into flames at about 9am near People's Park, the Shanghai government said.

Local media reported the vehicle was carrying six people and several tanks of gas.

Videos on social media showed injured people lying on the pavement next to a Starbucks cafe.