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Police in northwest China say a man has admitted to setting fire to a transit bus in Ningxia, killing at least 17 people and injuring 33 others.

Investigators work at the accident site of bus fire in Helan County, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jan. 5, 2016. Fourteen people were killed and more than 31 others injured, after the bus caught fire Tuesday morning. [Photo: Xinhua/Li Ran]

Authorities say 33-year-old Ma Yongping dumped two buckets of gasoline on the bus and then lit it on fire during the morning rush hour in the suburbs of the regional capital, Yinchuan.

He then jumped out the window.

The suspect was apprehended 9-hours later.

Police say their initial investigation suggests Ma acted out a random vengeance against society because of a business dispute he is involved in.

Among the injured being treated at a local hospital, 6 are said to be in serious condition, one is listed in critical condition.

Ma Xiaoting, is one of the victims.

"I was listening to music near the backdoor of the bus. I was holding the handrail near the seat in front of the backdoor. Since I was listening to music that time, I did not pay attention to the situation on the bus. I just saw a person in front of me suddenly asking 'What happened? What is he doing?' Then on looking out I saw the bus was on fire,"

Local authorities are now working with police to identify victims.

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