Death toll rises to 7 in Southwest China road accident

CHENGDU - The death toll has risen to 7, after a van fell off the road Friday near Jinke village in Junlian county of Yibin, Southwest China's Sichuan province.

The van driver who was among the four injured died later in hospital, said a source from the publicity office of Junlian county.

There were 10 people in the van with a seating capacity of nine people. They were relatives and friends.

The accident happened at around 11 am and rescuers were dispatched to the scene. Three injured people remained in hospital.

Further investigation is underway.