Probe opens after 43 die as bus and truck collide

French authorities have opened a preliminary investigation after at least 43 people were killed in a crash between a bus and truck near Bordeaux on Friday, the deadliest road accident in the country in more than 30 years.

The circumstances of the crash remain unclear, according to Pierre Dartout, the top government official for the Aquitaine region, who announced the investigation to reporters near the scene.

Both vehicles caught fire after the morning crash. French media reported that the bus driver was among those who escaped, and the truck driver was killed.