13 die in China in traffic accidents

Thirteen people died in two separate car accidents in China as locals started traveling during the weeklong May Day holiday, a news report said Tuesday.

Photo: 13 die in China in traffic accidents

A villager driving without a license Sunday lost control of his vehicle that was carrying 18 other villagers and it crashed into a ditch in Guan county of Hebei province near Beijing, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

The accident killed seven and injured 11, the news agency said.

In a separate accident Sunday, a bus loaded with 10 people traveling toward the city of Xianggelila in southwestern Yunnan province struck an oncoming vehicle and plunged down a 190-meter (627-feet) deep ravine, killing six and injuring four, Xinhua said.

China's weeklong May Day break, which began Monday, is a major travel season.

Accidents caused by reckless driving, poor road conditions and overloading of vehicles are reported almost every day in China, making its roads among the world's deadliest, reports the AP.

I.L.