At least 43 people, most of them pensioners on a hiking trip, have been killed after the bus they were travelling in collided with a truck. The
ADVERTISEMENTAt least 43 people, most of them pensioners on a hiking trip, have been killed after the bus they were travelling in collided with a truck.
The accident happened in the town of Puisseguin in south-west France, east of Bordeaux.
At least 42 killed in pensioners' bus collision, France's worst road crash in over 30 years: https://t.co/R2VjWJVVFcpic.twitter.com/nA5t7G6wDq
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) October 23, 2015
The crash occured at around 7.30 am local time on a dangerous stretch of road, according local residents.
Aerial picture shows scene of truck & bus crash that killed 42 near #Puisseguin in France https://t.co/il7JQaFtRvpic.twitter.com/RC5JsaeeyC
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 23, 2015
Latest pictures from France bus crash that killed 42 - mostly pensioners - near #Puisseguinhttps://t.co/il7JQaFtRvpic.twitter.com/8aOISEQ7CV
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 23, 2015
Both vehicles burst into flames on impact.
Authorities say it was the intensity of the fires that caused so many fatalities.
The driver of the bus managed to open the doors allowing eight people to scramble to safety.
Those injured are undergoing treatment for burns and head injuries.
French President Francois Hollande,on a visit to Greece, expressed his solidarity with the victims families and Prime Minister Manuel Valls headed to the scene of the tragedy: “It’s a shock a terrible shock for the region, for the Gironde. It’s a terrible shock for the whole of France. Today France and the French are in mourning,” he said.
Authorities are still waiting to identify those who perished in the crash.
An inquiry is underway into the cause of the accident.