BEIJING: Four Dutch tourists were killed in the scenic southern Chinese town of Yangshuo on Wednesday when a hot-air balloon exploded and crashed, Chinese state television reported.

China Central Television (CCTV) said seven people were on board the balloon, which went out of control and exploded soon after taking off in Yangshuo, a popular tourist spot in the Guangxi region famed for its scenic karst hills.

It said five of the balloon's passengers were foreigners, all of them Dutch nationals, four of whom died in the tragedy.

Xinhua news agency said the dead included three men and one woman.

It said the other three people aboard the balloon were rushed to hospital for treatment of injuries but did not say how badly they were hurt.