GUANGZHOU - Six people died and 16 were injured after a mini-bus veered off road into a ravine in a mountainous region of south China's Guangdong province on Tuesday, local government sources said.

The accident happened at about 11:00 am in Ruyuan county, when the mini-bus was en route from Qingyuan city to Shaoguan city. The driver suddenly lost control and the vehicle crashed through the guard rails. Five people died at the scene and another in hospital.

The injured are receiving treatment in hospital and are reported to be stable.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.