Five children have died and several others have been injured following a serious two-vehicle collision in rural Ontario, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).The crash occurred around 7:30 p.m.on Friday at the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Road 12 in Mapleton Township, approximately 35 kilometres northwest of Kitchener-Waterloo.

Police reported that a total of 11 people were involved in the collision, which included occupants of a passenger van carrying 10 people and a sport utility vehicle occupied by a single driver.According to OPP officials, the deceased victims were four girls and one boy, all children between the ages of four and 12.Authorities confirmed that the children were all related.

Emergency responders transported multiple injured individuals to hospital, including an infant and four adults from the van, as well as the driver of the SUV.All are currently receiving treatment for serious injuries.OPP officials described the incident as a devastating loss and extended condolences to the families and the broader community.The OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement team has been deployed to investigate the circumstances of the crash.As a result, the intersection where the collision occurred remains closed, with traffic being rerouted while investigators continue their work.Police have stated that further details will not be released at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.Authorities are urging caution in the area as road closures are expected to remain in place throughout the investigation.