YANGON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and 12 others injured in a car accident in eastern Myanmar's Shan state on Sunday, an official from the Myanmar Fire Services Department said.

The accident occurred at around 1:20 p.m. local time after the car's brakes failed, causing it to plunge into a roadside ditch in Kalaw township, the official said.

Of the 17 people on board, two males and three females died, while six males and six females were injured, he said.

The car was en route from Taunggyi to Mandalay when the accident took place, the official said.

Local fire service personnel and rescue organizations rushed to the scene and transported the deceased and the injured to Kalaw People's Hospital, he added. ■