African students share a moment in the coach. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Thirteen African students were rescued from a highway in Wuxi late Sunday night after their coach broke down, local media reported.

The accident took place in the Wuxi section of the Shanghai-Chengdu Highway at around 11 pm, while the coach was en route to Jiangsu University in the neighboring city of Zhenjiang. Police arrived after receiving a report and moved the stranded students to a police box nearby. They also provided food for the hungry scholars.

A second bus from Jiangsu University arrived at 1 am and picked them up.

The students aged between 18 and 40 hail from six African countries including Morocco and Algeria. It was most of the students' first visit to China.

Coach breakdowns have become increasingly common in Wuxi recently. Police urged drivers to enhance maintenance and check their vehicles thoroughly before taking to the road.