20 dead after bus falls off cliff in central China

Photo taken on March 3, 2015 shows the site of a road accident which claimed 20 lives in Linzhou City, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Liu Jiankun)

Twenty people were confirmed dead and 13 others injured after a bus fell off a cliff late Monday night in central China's Henan Province, rescuers said on Tuesday.

The accident occurred at around 11 p.m. near the boundary between Xinxiang City and Linzhou City when the bus with 33 people aboard was heading for Linzhou, according to local rescue headquarters.

The bus was carrying staff of a privately owned opera troupe from Xingyang City, Henan Province. The vehicle was rented by the troupe, according to the provincial culture department.

All the injured have been hospitalized. The bus is designed to carry 35 people.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

(Updated)