15 Killed In Road Accident In Canada: Report

At least 15 people died Thursday when a truck collided with a vehicle carrying elderly passengers in central Canada's Manitoba province, police said.

"Fifteen people have been confirmed deceased," Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer Rob Hill told a press conference, adding that "10 people were transported to hospital with various injuries."

The majority of passengers in the transport vehicle, which was carrying about 25 people, were seniors, Hill said.

"My heart breaks hearing the news of the tragic accident near Carberry. My most sincere condolences go out to all those involved," tweeted Manitoba's premier Heather Stefanson.

She said flags at the province's legislative building have been lowered to half-staff "out of respect for those we have tragically lost."

Authorities said the highway was closed in both directions and they were asking motorists to avoid the area.

According to Nirmesh Vadera, who works near the accident site in a roadside hotel restaurant, numerous emergency vehicles and two helicopters were at the scene of the crash, which occurred around midday.

"It was really, really surreal to see the extent of (the accident), because I've never seen this kind of fire on any vehicle," Vadera told AFP by telephone, adding there was lots of smoke visible around the site.

He said a semi-trailer truck was lying on its side along the roadway, while a smaller vehicle was in flames.

In 2018, 15 people were killed in an accident in the neighboring western province of Saskatchewan, when a truck collided with a bus carrying young ice hockey players.

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