At least 13 people died and 20 were injured when a bus crashed into a truck in western Slovakia on Wednesday, the fire service told AFP.

“I can confirm the death of 13 people and 20 injuries in an accident near Nitrianske Hrnciarovce where a bus and a truck collided,” said Zuzana Farkasova, spokeswoman for Slovak firefighters and rescuers.

Rescuers said on their Facebook page they expected the number of casualties to increase.

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“Some 30 firefighters are at the scene to help the injured,” they added.

The accident occurred on the outskirts of the Nitra city, a regional capital some 80 kilometres (50 miles) east of Bratislava.

Farkasova said police helicopters had been deployed.

Slovakia was hit by heavy rain on Wednesday.