At least 38 people have been killed in a tragic traffic accident involving a bus, a truck and a car in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, the Associated Press reports, citing fire department officials.

Another 13 people were taken to hospitals near the town of Teófilo Ottoni. Authorities said the bus, which was reportedly leaving São Paulo with 45 passengers on board, blew a tyre, causing the driver to lose control and collide with a truck.

Firefighters said another car then collided with the bus, but its three passengers survived, and Reuters reported that the accident, which occurred at around 4am, caused the bus to catch fire.