Seventeen people were killed and 22 were injured Sunday in a road traffic accident in eastern Jiangxi province, mainland state media reported.

"The accident caused 17 deaths, 22 people were injured, the injured have been sent to the hospital," broadcaster CCTV reported, citing local authorities.

The "major road traffic accident" took place just before 1 am (1700 GMT) in Nanchang County, it reported.

"The cause of the accident is under in-depth investigation," CCTV added.

Around an hour after the news emerged, Nanchang County traffic police issued travel tips to drivers saying the area was experiencing "foggy weather".

"Driving visibility is poor, there is low visibility, which can easily cause traffic accidents," it said.

"Please pay attention to fog lights... slow down, drive carefully, keep a safe distance from the car in front, avoid pedestrians, do not change lanes and overtake," it added. (AFP)