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17 dead, 54 injured in central China road accident

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-03 10:42

CHANGSHA: A total of 17 people were killed Friday in a road accident in central China's Hunan Province, said a local official Saturday.

A bus turned over on a downhill path of a village two hours ride from Qiyang County, killing nine people on the spot, and eight others died in hospital, said Chen Huanyu, director of the county publicity department.

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Another 54 people were injured and are now being treated in hospital, Chen added.

The 30-seat bus was carrying 71 people when the accident happened.

Initial investigation by the local traffic police shows the accident was caused by overloading and brake failure, according to Chen.

A special investigation team, led by Deputy Province Governor Liu Liwei, is probing further into the accident.