Emergency escape windows will be installed in about 8,000 city buses in Shanghai before the 2010 World Expo opens in May next year, local transport authorities were quoted as saying by Monday's Shanghai Daily.

All new buses must be fitted with escape windows opposite the rear door, and old buses will be gradually fitted with the emergency windows, according to the newspaper.

Most air-conditioned buses don't have emergency exits, posing a concern after 27 passengers died and 74 were injured in a bus fire in southwest China's Chengdu City in Sichuan Province on June 5.

The accident led to Shanghai Communications, Transport and Port Bureau recommending dedicated escape windows for the city's bus fleet.

Last Thursday, seven people were injured when a bus carrying about 20 passengers caught fire in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2009)