Seven children are confirmed dead and 14 others injured after the minivan they were traveling in veered off a country road in central China's Hubei Province on Monday, local police said.

The seven-seat van was crowded with 21 preschoolers when it was hit from behind by a motor-driven tricycle carrying bricks. The van went off the road in Guishan Village in the city of Macheng and fell into a pond at 4:50 PM, said a spokesman with the public security bureau in Macheng.

One child was killed at the scene and six others died on their way to the hospital, he said without giving their names or ages.

The 14 injured children are being treated at Macheng People's Hospital and Macheng Central Hospital.

Local authorities said education and safety watchdogs have joined in the investigation, but gave no details.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2007)