Chongqing Bus Accident: Public bus with more than 10 on board plunges into Yangtze River

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01:42

A bus in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has plunged into the Yangtze River after it crashed into a car. A rescue mission is underway. CGTN's Meng Qingsheng reports.

It's late at night, but the rescue operation continues. So far, two bodies have been recovered after being spotted floating on the water's surface. The exact number of casualties remains unknown, but local police say there were more than ten people on board the bus.

MENG QINGSHENG WANZHOU DISTRICT, CHONGQING "The sunken bus has been located at a depth of about 60 meters under this water. Rescue workers are now trying to identify the exact location of the bus, and prepare for a final salvage."

An underwater robot has been put to service to help in the search effort. And floating cranes are on standby - ready to pull the bus out of the water. But water conditions and undercurrent have hindered the rescue operation. Driving on top of the bridge, we learn more about how the accident took place.

MENG QINGSHENG WANZHOU DISTRICT, CHONGQING "This is the place where the accident happened. The bus coming from that direction crashed into this private car. The bus then veered, broke through the bridge fence and plunged into the Yangtze River."

Policemen checked roadside cameras, but still, little is known about what may have caused the bus to swerve off course. While hopes dwindled of rescuing anyone else alive from the water, a final salvage may help unravel more mysteries of the accident. Meng Qingsheng, CGTN, Chongqing.