BEIJING, Sept. 9 -- The Ministry of Public Security has issued warnings about road accidents related to the fast-growing food delivery business in cities.

In east China's Nanjing City alone, three people died and 2,473 were injured in 3,242 road accidents related to such services in the first half of this year, according to figures released by the ministry's traffic management bureau.

Seventy-six such cases occurred in Shanghai Municipality in the same period, according to the bureau.

Delivery workers riding electric bikes are frequently seen racing through streets as a growing number of people, especially the young, order food online.

Some delivery staff use mobile phones while driving, and some have been found to violate regulations, including speeding or running red lights, according to the bureau.

The bureau stressed abiding by laws and regulations and urged online catering companies to raise the safety awareness of delivery workers.