Minibus falls off cliff in C China, killing 6

YICHANG, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and another two were seriously injured after a minibus they took fell off a cliff in central China's Hubei Province on Saturday evening, local authorities said.

The accident happened at about 6:20 p.m. in Shimen Village, Xingshan County, Yichang City, when the minibus plunged the 100-meter-deep cliff in heavy rain, according to the Yichang municipal fire-fighting department.

The six victims were female tea pickers. The driver and another tea picker were badly injured and are receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Fire-fighters arrived at the scene at about 7 p.m. in pickups instead of fire engines due to tough road conditions. They are still working at the site.