Soa Paulo - At least 31 people were killed on Saturday when a bus heading to the northern Brazilian state of Bahia plunged into a ravine, transportation officials said.

Officials from bus company Viacao Itapemirim said the accident occurred before dawn near the town of Barro.

The driver was among the dead.

Officials said the death toll could eventually exceed 40, but so far 31 bodies had been found and retrieved.

Rescue teams worked to retrieve the bus and any possibler survivors, according to the company.