Police raiding a south China nightclub on Monday opened fire to stop knife-wielding thugs but accidentally killed a taxi driver who had parked his car nearby to wait for clients, local government said Tuesday.

The driver, whose identity has not been revealed, died in hospital after he was hit in the stomach by a stray bullet at about midnight Monday in the city of Dongguan, Guangdong province, a statement issued by the municipal public security bureau said.

Police were attacked when they tried to arrest suspected gang members at the club. They fired warning shots after six policemen were hurt but the thugs were not deterred, the statement said.

Police fired more shots in self-defense and subsequently dispersed the thugs, but in the process accidentally shot the taxi driver, it added.

The raid resulted in the arrest of 38 suspects, including two alleged gang members and 36 drug takers.