KUNMING - Nine people were confirmed dead after their minibus tumbled into a valley in Southwest China's Yunnan province on Monday, according to local authorities.

Rescue workers at the site of the road accident which killed nine in Yongsheng county, Southwest China's Yunnan province, Aug 13, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

The seven-seater vehicle loaded with nine people, including two children, fell off the road in Yongsheng county at 2 pm, killing eight people instantly while another died after treatment failed at the scene, according to an official of the county's government.

All the deceased were from Xibuhe village in Ningliang Yi autonomous county, the official said.

Investigation into the cause of the accident is under way.