Twelve people have been confirmed dead and five others are missing after a bus fell into a river in Qamdo of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, the local government said early Saturday.

The passenger bus, carrying 19 people including the driver, fell into the Zaqu River in Cerwai Town around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Two people, including the bus driver, were slightly injured, according to the emergency response office under the government of Qamdo prefecture, in northeastern Tibet.

Rescuers are searching for the missing passengers along the river, according to the office.

As of Friday night, 12 bodies were recovered. Six of the dead have been identified to be Qamdo natives, and the rest are from the neighboring Qinghai Province. The families of the victims have arrived in Qamdo County to deal with the aftermath.

Local police are investigating the cause of the accident. The vehicle has been pulled out of the river for investigation.