A bus crash that killed 13 people was sparked by a fight between the driver and an angry passenger, according to Chinese state media.

The bus had veered into the wrong lane and collided with an oncoming car in Chongqing on Sunday before it plunged into the Yangtze River.

Fifteen people had been on the bus, including the driver.

The vehicle's black box, which recorded the bus's mechanical condition and operational details, was found on Wednesday.

The bus was also salvaged and pulled out of the river.

Thirteen bodies were found and two people were listed as missing.

According to the China Daily, a female passenger named Liu had missed her stop and asked the driver to stop immediately.

After he refused, she hit his head with her mobile phone.

During the ensuing fight, the driver lost control and the bus went into the river.

Footage published by the newspaper appeared to show the fight between the driver and passenger and then screams could be heard form the passengers as the bus veered out of control.