The Daily Star's FREE newsletter is spectacular! Sign up today for the best stories straight to your inbox Sign up today! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Forty-six passengers and two drivers were on the coach when it collided with a tractor-trailer during a traffic jam on a highway this morning.

At least 30 people were injured and two are fighting for life after the horrific crash near Muenchberg in Bavaria.

The said the 18 missing passengers "probably died in the burning bus" when it became engulfed in flames.

(Image: WELT) (Image: GOOGLE)

More than 100 emergency crew, including firefighters, police and several rescue helicopters, are at the scene and the A9 highway has been shut down.

A police spokesman in Bayreuth said: "We have to assume that it was a very serious traffic accident.

“The fate of the other passengers is currently the subject of police action on the ground.”

(Image: WELT) (Image: AFP)

When asked if there are any fatalities, a police officer Jürgen Stadter added: "At the moment the remaining passengers are unclear.

"We have the hope that one or the other has been running out of the bus in shock and is still wandering around.

"But we are also realistic. There will probably be some deaths at the end of the day."

Shocking pictures show the smouldering wreckage of the coach surrounded by fire fighters and ambulances.

The coach, which appears to be completely burnt out, was traveling from the north towards Nuremberg when it drove into the back of a truck at around 7am this morning.

It was carrying a group of pensioners on a trip, according to Stadter.

(Image: WELT 24) (Image: WELT 24)

The driver of the truck is injured and has been quizzed by police, Welt 24 reports.

Police are rescue workers are searching for missing passengers as the wreckage of the coach cools down after the blaze.

An official police statement added: "There was a serious traffic accident on Monday morning on the A9 close to Stammbach.

"A coach collided with a trailer and caught on fire. It is currently known that several people are injured. The A9 is completely blocked off in both directions.

"Shortly after 7 am the coach collided with a preceding semitrailer during stagnating traffic.

"Shortly thereafter, the bus occupied by 46 passengers and two drivers caught on flames.

"According to the current state of the investigation, 31 passengers are partly seriously injured. The fate of the other passengers is currently the subject of police measures at the scene."