SAO PAULO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and multiple others injured following a long-distance bus overturned in Brazil's southeastern state of Sao Paulo early Wednesday, local authorities said.

The accident occurred on a highway near the city of Jaboticabal when the bus carrying about 40 passengers lost control and overturned while entering a ramp, said the state's traffic management department.

The department said about 40 passengers are still undergoing medical evaluation. According to local media reports, five of them were seriously injured.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. ■