8 students confirmed to have died in bus fire

XIAMEN - DNA tests have concluded that eight students who were reported missing after a fatal bus fire in east China's Xiamen City died in the blaze, local authorities said on Monday.

A total of 15 secondary vocational school students were returning home aboard the BRT (bus rapid transit) bus after they participated a college entrance exam on Friday.

The seven other students were injured after Chen Shuizong allegedly started a fire on the bus.

The fire has claimed 47 lives and injured 34 others. Thirty-three people are still receiving treatment in hospital, with two people being discharged on Sunday.

DNA comparisons of the 47 who died were completed on Monday afternoon, the publicity department of Xiamen City said.

Chen, a native of the city, allegedly started a fire on the bus, which was carrying about 90 passengers. He died in the blaze.

Xiamen police found notes in Chen's house, which showed he was unhappy and pessimistic about his life and planned the arson to vent personal grievances.

The Health Department of Xiamen City has dispatched psychologists to help the injured and relatives of the deceased.