Moscow  - At least 14 people were killed in a collision between a bus and a lorry east of Moscow, a news report said Thursday.

The bus collided heads-on with a lorry that had veered off its side of the road immediately caught fire. The cause of the accident remained unclear, but police believes a tyre may have blown out or the lorry driver fell asleep.

The accident took place in the Vladimir region about 200 kilometres east of Moscow, the Interfax news agency said, citing officials.

Earlier reports spoke of up to 25 dead. The victims were traders bound for Moscow. (dpa)