The accident occurred on a winding slope Wednesday in central Genting Highlands, an entertainment and gambling resort approximately one-hours drive from the capital Kuala Lumpur.

A fire official told the AFP news agency that 20 people had been confirmed dead, while the AP news agency reported fire department official Azizan Ismail as saying 33 were killed.

More than 200 firefighters, police and medical officers used ropes and cranes to reach the bus, which was lying on its side in thick vegetation about 30 meters (100 feet) down from the road.

The cause of the accident is not yet known and Azizan said the bus driver was among the dead.

Police said the bus was part of a regular line that took visitors to and from the resort.

Genting Highlands brings in thousands of foreign and domestic visitors every year. Accidents are rare on the well-maintained roads up to the resort.

dr/hc (AFP, AP, dpa)