Nine people were killed and more than 40 injured after a bus drove off a cliff in southwest China's Guizhou Province Monday afternoon, said sources from local traffic police.

An early report said that 15 people died in the accident but police found only nine bodies, said the sources.

The bus destined for neighboring Sichuan Province plunged off a 50-meter high cliff after it collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction at 4:20 p.m. Monday.

Witnesses said that the bus was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the accident occurred.

Rescue work continues.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2005)