Twelve people were killed when the minibus they were travelling in collided with a heavy in Allier, central France, local authorities said.
The minibus was travelling from Switzerland to Portugal when the accident happened just before midnight.
"The twelve passengers of the minibus, who were all Portuguese, are dead," a statement from the local authority said.
The minibus had swerved into the path of oncoming traffic and collided head-on with the truck.
The driver of the minibus and the two Italian drivers of the truck survived the crash but were injured, the local authority said.
A local village hall was being used as a temporary morgue.
The road was closed following the accident, and was expected to remain shut until 6:00 am today.
