Fifteen students from Hong Kong and three local people accompanying them were injured in a traffic accident in Beijing Monday evening, local police said Tuesday.

A tourist bus, carrying 21 Hong Kong students on a cultural exchange visit, turned over at 21:31 PM Monday on the Beijing International Airport freeway. It appears the road was slippery following rain. .

The injured were taken to a local hospital. Those hurt suffered only slight injuries and 10 returned to their hotel after treatment. Eight others remain under observation in hospital, according to local police.

Central and local government officials assisted at the scene of the accident. The accident is now being investigated.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2006)