Pedestrians mowed down by van in China

At least 18 people have been injured after a minivan accidentally crashed into pedestrians on a busy Chinese street. 

Three people suffered serious injuries when the van veered onto a sidewalk and burst into flames around 9 am near People's Park in the heart of the Chinese financial hub, the city government said on its social media account.

The cause is still under investigation, however Shanghai police believe the incident was an accident. 

Police said they believe the driver had been smoking as he transported gas tanks through the city. 

The van burst into flames after colliding with a store front.

Videos on social media showed people lying unconscious on the pavement next to a Starbucks cafe and firefighters trying to extinguish a blaze inside the van.

The crash comes as British Prime Minister Theresa May is scheduled to speak in Shanghai.