A bus toppled down a hillside, killing 15 people and injuring eight, in Luanping County of Chengde City in north China's Hebei Province on Monday morning.

The bus, with 45 people aboard, was heading from Lijiaying Village to the town area of Luanping County when the accident occurred at 7:30 a.m. at a hilly road.

12 people died on the spot, three died after all medical treatment failed and eight were seriously injured, according to local police.

The bus run out of the road at a turning and rolled for about 110 meters down a hillside.

The bus was privately owned with legal transport permits. Most of the passengers are local farmers.

Further investigation is underway.

Source: Xinhua