YINCHUAN, Dec. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Six people were confirmed dead and 25 others injured when a bus fell into a roadside ditch Sundayin northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the local government said Tuesday.

    The bus, carrying 34 people, was heading to Shagou Township from Xiji County of Guyuan City when the accident happened. The bus was suddenly out of control and fell into a 13-meter-deep ditch at 4:30 p.m., killing three passengers on the spot and another three died later in hospital.

    The driver, surnamed Ma, cited brake failure as the reason for the accident. "I couldn't brake the vehicle, so I tried to gear down. But it veered off the road all the same," he said.

    The city government of Guyuan has set up an investigation team to probe into the accident and provide compensations for the victims' families. Enditem