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More than 40 pensioners killed in French bus crash French bus crash: Pensioners killed in truck collision
(about 1 hour later)
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. More than 40 pensioners on a day trip have been killed after their bus collided with a truck and burst into flames in south-western France.
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. The collision happened near Puisseguin in the Gironde wine region, east of Bordeaux, shortly after the bus had set off from a neighbouring town.
The French president said he was "plunged into sadness by the tragedy". The French president said he had been "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 1982, when 52 people died.
The crash happened at around 07:30 local time (05:30 GMT). Prime Minister Manuel Valls has arrived at the scene.
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. The crash happened on a country road at around 07:30 local time (05:30 GMT).
The bus was involved in a head-on collision with the timber truck at what local residents described as a notoriously dangerous bend in the road.
Both vehicles quickly caught fire.Both vehicles quickly caught fire.
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 French government said 42 people had died and nine people were injured, four seriously.
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. Most of the dead were the elderly passengers who become trapped in the bus. It was not clear if the bus driver was among the dead. The lorry driver was originally included in the death toll, but unconfirmed reports say he may have managed to escape.
They had not long left on their journey, and were heading south for a day trip to the Landes region. Most of those on board the bus were reported to have been members of an elderly people's association from the small town of Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, which has a population of just 700, along with others from neighbouring communities.
They had not long left on their journey, and were heading south for a day trip into 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".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.More than 60 firefighters attended the scene. The wounded were airlifted to hospital.
The exact cause of the crash is not yet clear.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".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.
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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