20 killed after bus skids over cliff in central China

Twenty people from an opera company have been killed and 13 others injured after a bus fell off a cliff in central China, state media reported.

The accident happened early Tuesday in Linzhou city in the central province of Henan, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the local government.

The bus was carrying staff of a local opera troupe, according to the municipal government of Anyang city, which oversees the smaller Linzhou.

The vehicle was rent by the Opera troupe.

Linzhou police confirmed the accident in an online statement, saying 33 people were onboard the bus, but did not provide details on the number of casualties.

An investigation into the incident is now underway.

Fatal road accidents are common in China.

Last July, at least 38 people were killed when a van carrying inflammable liquid hit a bus on a highway in central China. The collision triggered a fire and an explosion, which destroyed five vehicles.

Another five people were also injured in the accident.