Twelve people have been killed after a minibus collided with a truck in France, officials have said.

A group of Portuguese people who had been visiting Switzerland were on board the minibus when the accident happened shortly before midnight. 

In a statement, local authorities said all of the passengers on the coach had been killed when it hit the truck head-on near the town of Moulins.

According to La Montagne newspaper, a child and his parents were among those who lost their lives.

Two Italian drivers aboard the heavy goods vehicle are unhurt but said to be in a state of shock.

They have told officers the minivan had veered into the path of oncoming traffic - leaving them with nowhere to turn.

The minivan's driver survived the crash but has been taken to hospital.

A local village hall was being used as a temporary morgue.