The site of the accident. (Xinhua photo)

CHANGSHA, Aug. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- A traffic accident took place early Tuesday in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, leaving 17 dead and at least 30 others injured.

    The source with the municipal public security bureau said the tragedy happened at 1:20 a.m.

    A coach from south China's Shenzhen City to the southwestern Chongqing Municipality collided with the railings of Changsha's round-the-city expressway.

A man is being treated in a hospital in Changsha. (Xinhua photo)

    Fifteen passengers were killed on the spot and two others died later in the hospital.

    The police said the bus, permitted to carry 49 people in maximum, was overloaded with 63 when the accident occurred.

    Vice Governor Xu Yunzhao rushed to the site for organizing the rescue operation.

    Investigation into the cause of the accident is already underway. Enditem