The bus carrying 20 people met with the accident near Miaoling Township in Ezhou City, killing 18 people, head of the information office of the city government said.
Two people, including the driver, have been rescued. They have been admitted to a hospital with minor injuries.
The driver, surnamed Li, is in police custody, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Ezhou's publicity department said the victims have been identified and the bus has been pulled out of the water.
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