Bus plunge kills 13 in Xinjiang

Firefighters are seen near the accident site where a bus carrying 35 people plunged into a valley in Changji City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 18, 2013. At least 13 people were killed in the accident that occurred around 5:10 p.m. (GMT 0910). The injured have been rushed to hospitals. (Xinhua/Wang Fei) .

Thirteen people were killed after a tourist bus plunged into a valley on Tuesday in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to local traffic police.

The bus was carrying 36 passengers, and the other 23 people were wounded.

The accident happened around 5:00 p.m. when the bus was travelling toa tourist spot near the city of Changji, said Shi Rui, a traffic police officer. "The injured have been rushed to hospital," Shi said.

Heavy fog was blamed, causing bad visibility for the driver.