PARIS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- French President Francois Hollande has sent condolences to the families of the victims who died in a serious vehicle collision in southwest France early Friday, in which at least 42 people were killed.

On early Friday morning, a bus and a truck loaded with wood collided in Puisseguin in southwest France, which set both vehicles on fire.

"All the services are in place to provide necessary assistance and to accompany the families", Hollande was quoted as saying in a press release issued by his presidential office the Elysee later in the day.

According to the local prefecture, most of the passengers on the bus were seniors leaving for vacation. At least 42 people have lost their lives with several severely injured.