A double-decker bus rolled off the road and down a steep slope in Fujian Province on Monday, killing 17 passengers.

Another 10 were injured after the bus went out of control at around 1 AM in the province's Lianjiang County.

After losing control, the bus glided for about 150 metres along Huangqi Road before it hit the shoulder and fell for more than 60 metres down a slope on the side of the road.

Injured passengers were sent to local hospitals. Five were seriously injured and transferred to Fuzhou No 2 Hospital.

An official with local transportation bureau said the cause of accident is still under investigation.

Huangqi Road is a Grade Three highway where traffic incidents are common. Large buses are not allowed on the road after 9 AM.

The bus belonged to the local Hongshun Transportation Company. The company has made no public statements.

The bus was travelling from Tailu Town, in Lianjiang County, to Fuzhou City.

Most of the 27 passengers were residents in Tailu Town. Wang Qisheng, a local resident in Huangqi Town, witnessed the crash and reported to local government right away.

Provincial, municipal and local level officials have set up three teams to investigate.

(China Daily & China.org.cn August 24, 2004)