Five people have been killed killed and dozens injured after a car drove into crowds of tourists and caught fire in Tiananmen Square.

Beijing government officials are unsure if the incident, which occurred at the site of 1989 pro-democracy protests, was a terrorist attack.

Three people who were traveling in the vehicle have all died in addition to a female tourist from the Philippines, and a male tourist from southern Guandong province.

Around 38 people are thought to have been injured in the incident.

The central and Beijing governments held a meeting to investigate the cause of the event and ‘ensure the security and stability of the capital.’

The main road through the square was closed for a short period of time as police evacuated part of the square.

The popular tourist destination is under constant security due to its close proximity to the Zhongnanhai compound of the central leadership and the Great Hall of the People which overlooks the square.

It is also the site of Mao’s mausoleum.