Chongqing bus plunge kills nine, search work ongoing

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At least nine people have been killed after a bus plunged into the Yangtze River in southwest China on Sunday.

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

Here is what we know so far:

Updated at 8:40 p.m. BJT, Wednesday

Rescuers are trying to lift the bus out of the water with a floating crane. The bus is expected to be pulled ashore by early Thursday morning, according to China's national broadcaster CCTV.

The "black box" of the bus has been found and handed over to the local public security bureau.

Updated at 9:50 a.m. BJT, Wednesday

The operation to retrieve the wreckage and bodies of victims continued on Wednesday morning, according to China's national broadcaster CCTV.

Rescuers make final preparation to lift the sunken bus out of water in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, October 31, 2018. /CCTV Photo

The bus was found 71 meters below the water surface and its "black box" was retrieved earlier in the day.

Updated at 5:00 p.m. BJT, Tuesday

The body of the seventh victim was retrieved from the water.

Rescuers dived about 71 meters down into the area where the accident happened to retrieve bodies of victims.

Updated at 2:29 p.m. BJT

The death toll from the tragedy has climbed to five, as two more bodies were retrieved.

The rescuers have started working to salvage the bus from the river.

Updated at 12:05 p.m. BJT

At least three people are now confirmed dead after a bus plunged into the Yangtze River from a bridge in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Sunday morning.

The bus crashed into a car and then fell into the river.

A salvage team confirmed the bus is approximately 73 meters under the water surface.

A total of 18 professional divers have arrived at the scene. At the same time, on-site medical, electromechanical, emergency and other diving support groups are also in place.

1243km