HAIKOU, Jan. 18 -- A highway collision in south China's island province Hainan killed seven people and injured one, local authorities said Monday.

The accident occurred at about 0:20 a.m. Monday on a highway near Qionghai City after a minivan carrying eight passengers rear-ended a truck, killing six at the scene. The two injured were rushed to a hospital, where one of them died despite treatment.

An investigation is under way.