At least 10 killed as China bus falls off hillside
2009-10-28

Nations China City Jiangshanshi States Zhejiang Category Regions Quzhou Source (AP)

BEIJING - At least 10 people died Wednesday when a bus carrying mourners from a funeral plunged off a hillside in eastern China, state media reported.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the bus swerved off a road near the mountainous city of Jiangshan in Zhejiang province, falling more than 300 feet (100 meters) and rolling several times before coming to a stop in a ravine.

More than 300 people joined in rescue efforts, including police officers, soldiers, medical workers, government officials and local residents, Xinhua said.

Survivors among the 28 people aboard the bus were rushed to a hospital, Xinhua said, but gave no details of their condition.

It said the passengers had been returning from a local funeral home where where a relative had been cremated, police said.

Calls to local government offices in Jiangshan were referred to the local Communist Party propaganda office, where phones rang unanswered.

Bus crashes are common in China, frequently caused by drivers who are speeding or sleepy, or are driving overloaded, poorly maintained vehicles.