A total of 17 people were killed Friday in a road accident in central China's Hunan Province, said a local official Saturday.

A bus turned over on a downhill path of a village two hours ride from Qiyang County, killing nine people on the spot, and eight others died in hospital, said Chen Huanyu, director of the county publicity department.

Another 54 people were injured and are now being treated in hospital, Chen added.

The 30-seat bus was carrying 71 people when the accident happened.

Initial investigation by the local traffic police shows the accident was caused by overloading and brake failure, according to Chen.

A special investigation team, led by Deputy Province Governor Liu Liwei, is probing further into the accident.