At Least 40 Dead After Bus, Truck Collide in France, Police Say

— -- At least 40 people have died after a bus and a tractor-trailer collided in southwest France on Friday, local authorities said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer is among those killed but the condition of the bus driver is unknown.

The passengers were on a day trip to Bearn, travelling on a narrow road.

Eight people survived the crash; of those eight, two have brain trauma, two are critically burnt and four others have minor injuries, authorities said.

The crash happened 7:30 a.m. local time near the town of Puisseguin, according to police. Both vehicles caught on fire.

Many of the passengers on the bus were elderly.

French President Francois Hollande spoke about the accident from Athens, where he's attending meetings with Greek officials.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident, the government is fully mobilized," he said.