CHENGDU, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Six people have been confirmed dead and 11 others injured after a van veered off a road in southwest China's Sichuan Province, local authorities said on Thursday.

The 17-seat vehicle, with 17 people on board, crashed into the road guardrail and fell into the river shoal in Baoxing County, Ya'an City, at about 6 p.m. Wednesday.

All the injured have been sent to a local hospital for treatment, with one in serious but stable condition.

Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.