A minibus overturned on a county road in southwestern Guizhou Province Tuesday afternoon, killing 17 passengers and injuring three others.

Police sources said the accident happened at Zhejue Town in Weining Autonomous County of the Yi, Hui and Miao Ethnic Groups at about 4 PM on Tuesday. Sixteen people were killed on the spot and one of the four injured died in hospital later in the evening.

The minibus was authorized to carry only 17 passengers. It was carrying 20 at the time of the accident.

Investigations into the cause of the accident are underway.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2005)