HANOI, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed on the spot when a passenger coach overturned in Vietnam's northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on Saturday morning, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The coach was carrying 19 people at the time of the accident.

According to the report, rescue forces had managed to bring 10 people out of the coach, while several others remained trapped inside.

The accident occurred on a long downhill road section. The vehicle may have suffered brake failure before overturning at the foot of the slope.

Authorities are continuing to investigate and clarify the cause of the accident. ■