A freight lorry crashed with a bus on a road near the South Korean capital Seoul on Thursday, causing a fire that killed at least five people and injured 37 others, officials said.

It was not known what caused the crash and fire or what cargo the lorry was carrying.

The National Fire Agency said the three of the injured were in a serious condition while 34 others were lightly injured.

Officials said the crash happened inside a noise-barrier tunnel on the road.

TV footage showed thick black plumes of smoke billowing from the tunnel, but fire officials said later they have almost put out the blaze.