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More than 40 pensioners killed in French bus crash More than 40 pensioners killed in French bus crash
(about 1 hour later)
More than 40 pensioners on an excursion have been killed after their bus crashed with a truck on a country road in south-western France. More than 40 pensioners on a day trip have been killed after their bus crashed with a truck on a country road in south-western France.
The collision happened near Puisseguin in the Gironde wine region, east of Bordeaux, not long after the bus had set off from a nearby town. The collision happened near Puisseguin in the Gironde wine region, east of Bordeaux, after the bus had set off from a nearby town. The truck driver also died.
French President Francois Hollande tweeted the government "is fully mobilised on this terrible tragedy". The French president said he was "plunged into sadness by the tragedy".
This is the worst French road disaster since one in 1982 when 52 people died.This is the worst French road disaster since one in 1982 when 52 people died.
According to French media, the crash happened at around 07:30 local time (05:30 GMT) on a single carriageway road just outside the village of Puisseguin. The crash happened at around 07:30 local time (05:30 GMT).
The force of the impact caused both vehicles to ignite. The bus was involved in a head-on collision with the timber truck on what local residents described as a notoriously dangerous bend in the road close to Puisseguin.
At least 41 passengers on the bus and the driver of the lorry died in the blaze. Only eight people managed to escape, five of whom are injured. Both vehicles quickly caught fire.
A large number of those on board the bus were reported to have been members of an elderly people's association in the nearby town of Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps. At least 41 people on the bus and the driver of the lorry died in the blaze. Nine people were injured, four seriously, according to the government.
The cause of the crash is not yet clear. One local resident told TV channel iTele the scene of the crash was a notorious danger spot. A large number of those on board the bus were reported to have been members of an elderly people's association in the small town of Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, which has a population of just 700, as well as from other neighbouring communities.
They had not long left on their journey, and were heading south for a day trip to the Landes region.
Marie Fulbert, a council official from the nearby town of Libourne, said they were still waiting for news of who was on the bus and said they had taken "a lot of calls from friends and family".
More than 60 firefighters attended the scene. The wounded were airlifted to hospital.
The exact cause of the crash is not yet clear.
Mr Hollande, who is on a visit to Athens, has promised a full investigation into what he called an "immense tragedy".
Prime Minister Manuel Valls, along with the interior and transport ministers are expected to go to the scene.Prime Minister Manuel Valls, along with the interior and transport ministers are expected to go to the scene.
Are you in the region? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the region? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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