China's Ministry of Education has called for an urgent nationwide inspection of all school buses in operation after a deadly road accident in the northwest province of Gansu. The latest report from local authorities has confirmed 20 dead, including 18 preschoolers and two adults, in a head-on collision between a school bus and a truck.

The accident occurred in the city of Qingyang Wednesday morning as the children were on their way to school. Local authorities blames overloading and foggy weather for the accident, saying the van with nine seats, was carrying 64 people.

In an urgent notice, China’s Ministry of Education said the inspection should cover those shuttle buses rented by schools and parents, adding that local education authorities should "seek support from the government" to provide safe transportation.

It also demands that students should be taught not to take illegally operated buses and their parents should be warned not to rent vehicles with safety risks.