Death toll rises to 28 in N.China bus accident
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-12-27 19:43

Rescuers recovered a body Monday evening from the freezing water where the ill-fated bus plunged, bringing the death toll to 28, local rescuers said Tuesday.

The tragedy happened at 3:30 p.m on Saturday, when a bus plunged into icy water of the Yellow River at a section of the Hanggin Banner (prefecture) of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The newly-found dead, surnamed Wang, was reported to be picked up not far from the accident site.

The bus was believed to have 36 passengers aboard initially but as Wang's body was found Monday, local rescuers have revised the number to 37.

Only nine passengers escaped the accident. The hope for the survival of the missing ones is very slim, rescuers at the site said.

Initial investigation shows that the cave-in of a icy road caused the bus to slip into the nearby freezing river, and rescue operation is still underway, according to local officials.