Rio de Janeiro  - At least 11 people died and a further 13 were injured in Brazil when a van and a car crashed on a road near the town of Itaberaba, in the north-eastern state of Bahia.

Brazilian road police said Monday that the accident happened Sunday afternoon when the vehicles were returning to the town of Vila Sao Vicente after their occupants played an amateur football game in Itaberaba.

Preliminary investigation indicated that the vehicles crashed in a failed attempt by one to overtake the other. The two were overturned and fell down a 5-metre-deep ravine.

Eleven of the people involved died immediately, while the 13 that were taken to hospital suffered serious wounds. (dpa)