At least four Chinese tourists were confirmed dead in a bus crash in the U.S. state of Utah. Victims are from a Chinese tour group, according to local reports. 

The incident happened around 12:20 p.m. local time on Friday. There were 30 people on the bus. 

The incident occurred on State Route 12 (SR 12) near Bryce Canyon, and SR 12 is now closed, local media reported.  

"Four have been killed, 12 to 15 others with critical injuries and 10 more with minor to serious injuries," local police said.  

The injured have been sent to the hospital. An investigation is underway.  

The Chinese embassy to the United States said on Twitter that it has initiated emergency protocols, sent personnel to the area and will assist the victims as needed. 

According to data released by the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office, the number of tourists from China to the United States dropped for the first time in 15 years, falling 5.7 percent to 2.9 million last year.  

However, China has still been a critically important market for the U.S. tourism industry. According to the Utah-China Trade and Investment Forum held in May this year, Utah's trade with China totaled about 4 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, and Chinese tourists bring more than 140 million dollars into Utah's economy each year.  

The U.S. state of Utah, nicknamed "Beehive State," offers such beautiful and spectacular tourist attractions including Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon and the Arches National Park.