A terribly collision between a bus carrying senior citizens and a truck has left 42 people dead and several injured.

The accident occurred in south western France at 7.30 on Friday morning and it is the deadliest road tragedy in over 30 years. The exact cause of the crash, though, is not yet clear.

The French government said 42 people had died and most of them were the elderly passengers who were trapped in the bus. Nine people were injured, four seriously.

More than 60 firefighters attended the scene, while the wounded were airlifted to hospital.

French President Francois Hollande, who is on a visit to Athens, has promised a full investigation.