Death toll of bus collision in SW France rises to 42

PARIS - A collision between a bus and a truck has caused 42 deaths in Libourne, southwest France, French BFMTV reported Friday.

The two vehicles caught fire after the collision. Only eight people managed to get out of the vehicles on fire, 5 injured with 3 unhurt, BFMTV said, citing a source of the local prefecture.

The tourist group bus, carrying mainly seniors, was leaving early Friday morning from the city of Petit Palais for les Landes, when the collision took place.

"The French government are totally mobilized on this terrible tragedy," said French President Francois Hollande.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, accompanied by Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, is expected to arrive at the scene around 11:00 local time.

According to BFMTV, this is the worst road accident since 1982 in France.