At least five people were killed after a passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine near here in Perak, a police official said today.

The official said the bus with 22 passengers including one driver was heading down from the Cameron Highlands hill resort to Ipoh, 12 kilometres away when it fell into a 20 metre ravine.

"We believe the driver lost control of the vehicle as it was coming down a steep slope at a sharp bend," he said.

Police have recovered five bodies, he said, adding that the remaining injured passengers including the driver have been taken to the Ipoh hospital.

Police are searching the identification papers to find out if foreigners were involved in the fatal accident, he added.