A bus ran into freezing water of the Yellow River at a section in north China Saturday, leaving the other 27 passengers still missing while eight rescued, rescuers said at the site.

The bus with 35 passengers aboard suddenly fell into the Yellow River while passing the section of the Hanggin Banner (prefecture)of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at about 4:00 PM Saturday.

Initial investigation shows that the cave-in of a icy road caused the bus to slip into the nearby freezing river, according to local officials.

The hope for the survival of the 27 missing is very slim, rescuers at the site said.

Rescue operation is still underway despite the chilly night and deep water level.

Related: Search for Missing People Going in N. China Road Accident

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2005)