An unlicensed bus driver has been arrested and 13 other officials disciplined following a tragic traffic accident in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region that killed 15 and injured 18, said local officials on Thursday.

Rozi Mamat, the owner and driver of the bus is accused of using a fake drivers license, driving an unsafe vehicle which was overloaded with passengers and speeding.

Authorities believe brake failure may have caused the accident.

The accident occurred on May 21, when the bus carrying 34 people lost control on a bridge and fell into a river. The driver was slightly injured.

The vice mayor of Yengisar County and the head of the county's traffic bureau were given disciplinary warnings. The accountant with a transportation company who forged the bus's annual safety inspection certificate was fired. Ten other people have also been warned or fined.

Compensation for the families of the dead and the injured is under review.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2006)