The charred structure of the coach remains as firefighters put out the blaze
Up to 18 people are believed to have been killed after a coach collided with a lorry in southern Germany – causing it to catch fire.
The accident 
happened on the A9 motorway near the town of Bayreuth in Bavaria at around 7am local time.
Around 46 passengers, plus two drivers, were on board the tour bus at the time of the smash in which 30 people were hurt, some suffered serious injuries. Images of the scene showed both vehicles completely gutted by the blaze.
Related video: Several feared dead after bus crash in Germany (Provided by PA)
“Unfortunately, numerous people… lost their lives in this burning bus, said Steffen Seibert, a spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Police spokesman Juergen Stadter added there was only a glimmer of hope of finding more survivors.
Maybe someone ran away in shock, he said.
The tour bus was reportedly travelling towards Nuremberg at the time of the smash
The coach was travelling from the eastern region of Lausitz in Saxony towards Nuremberg when it crashed into the lorry at the end of a traffic jam, according Bild.
The lorry load included beds and pillows and also immediately went up in flames, the German newspaper said.
The tour bus was from Dresden and heading for Lake Garda in Italy, Frankenpost reported.
It was unclear what type of tour group the bus was carrying, and if there were any foreign tourists on board.
Helicopters were at the scene to rescue the injured
Emergency services including firefighters, rescue helicopters and paramedics attended the scene, and the road was closed in both directions.
Earlier, police said they feared up to 17 people had been killed in the fire.
No information was available about the whereabouts of the truck driver.
Our thoughts go to the victims and their family members, as well as to the injured, said Mrs Merkel’s spokesman.
We hope that those who have been rescued will recover from their injuries, added Mr Seibert.
Thousands of classical music lovers from across the globe travel to Bayreuth – close to the Czech border which is dotted with spas and castles – every summer for its opera festival.