At least eight persons died due to suffocation in a refrigerated truck in China's  Henan Province on Sunday, media reports said.

The eight people stayed in the insulated compartment of the vehicle, which was against regulations, reported Xinhua.

The deceased people were found in an unconscious stage when the vehicle reached a gas station in Hongzhuangyang Township in Yexian County.

Officials later confirmed them to be dead.

The vehicle driver and related responsible personnel have been detained, and the cause of the case is being investigated, Xinhua reported.