China: Car rams into Hunan square killing nine

The driver, who has a criminal record, has been detained, officials say.

Officials have not said whether the incident is terror related.

A local government statement described it as a “deliberate, malicious case of driving with intent to injure”.

The injured have been taken to hospital and investigations are ongoing, it read.

Video footage from the scene on Chinese media shows people running out of a packed square.

Others kneel down to help or carry the injured away, as bodies lie on the ground.

Police have reportedly named the suspect as a 54-year-old man, Yang Zanyun.

Local media say criminal records show Mr Yang served time in prison for arson and drugs related offences.