A Taiwan tour bus carrying a group of visitors from mainland China crashed and caught fire Tuesday killing 26 on board as they headed to an airport near the capital Taipei, government officials said.

The tour group of 24 people, eight men and 16 women, was from China's northeastern city of Dalian, the interior ministry said. The driver and tour guide were also killed, AFP reported.

The Central News Agency and others reported that the bus apparently smashed into a roadside barrier and caught fire. Photos from the scene showed flames and thick black smoke pouring from the cab of the bus.

Taoyuan fire department official Zeng Hao said by phone that the total number of dead and injured was still being compiled.