4 dead after vehicles fall into river in Yunnan

KUNMING - At least four people died and seven others went missing after a bus and a car fell into a river in Southwest China late Sunday, local authorities said Monday.

The bus and car fell into a river in Yunlong county, Dali Bai autonomous prefecture at around 10 pm Sunday after a bridge collapsed due to flash floods and mud flow, according to the prefectural authorities.

The bus, which belonged to a transport company, had 35 people aboard when it left the bus station in Fugong county. It was bound for Kunming, the provincial capital.

The car had three aboard. Its driver has been rescued. Five from the bus and two from the car remain missing.

As of 6 am Monday, rescuers have retrieved four bodies from the scene. Twenty-six others, who were passengers from the bus, were rescued and sent to a local hospital.

The rescue operation is under way. Authorities are still checking the exact number of people on the two vehicles.