LA PAZ, May 2 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed after a vehicle plunged into the Mapiri River in the municipality of Guanay, in Bolivia's western department of La Paz, police said Saturday.

The vehicle was carrying at least seven people when it veered off the road and fell into the river late Friday, local police official Janeth Perez told local media.

Two people were rescued with serious injuries and taken to nearby medical centers. Police said the five victims died from drowning and that no one is currently reported missing.

Rescue efforts continued into early Saturday under difficult conditions. Authorities have opened an investigation into the cause. ■