(Bloomberg) -- A cargo ship slammed into a bridge in southern China on Thursday, sending several vehicles tumbling into a river.

Five people died as of Thursday afternoon after the accident in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, state broadcaster China Central Television reported. Two vehicles, including a bus, fell into the water and three others landed on the vessel, according to Global Times.

The accident was caused by “improper operation” by a crew member, according to CCTV. The ship’s owner has been taken into custody, it added.

The accident happened at the Lixinsha Bridge, which crosses a tributary of the Pearl River. A photo posted by Global Times on X showed the cargo ship wedged under the bridge and pieces of the span in the vessel.

--With assistance from Evelyn Yu.

(Updates with death toll and other details)

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