Rescuers are pulling a mini bus out of water. The bus carrying 19 elderly passengers plunged into a roadside pond in Hubei province early Friday morning. [Photo: Xinhua]

A nine-seater mini bus carrying 19 elderly passengers plunged into a roadside pond in central China early Friday morning, killing eighteen and injuring two, including the driver.

According to police, the accident occurred at 6 a.m. near Miaoling Township, Ezhou City, Hubei Province. The bus was not registered as a commercial commuter vehicle and was overloaded, which caused the accident, police said.

Many of the casualties were over 60 years old, the oldest being 74. They were from two nearby villages. The two injured have been admitted to hospital.

The police are questioning the driver and have launched an investigation.