At least 10 people died and 13 others were injured on Friday when a bus plunged off a cliff in Liupanshui City in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

The accident occurred at 3:40 PM when the mid-sized bus drove from Guiyang, the provincial capital, to Weining County, an autonomous area inhabited by ethnic Yi, Hui and Miao people.

The bus, carrying 23 passengers, fell about 70 meters from the cliff, tearing its roof off in the process.

The 13 injured were treated at a nearby hospital, but five remained in serious condition, rescuers said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2008)