Paris  - At least seven people were killed early Friday when a bus carrying Moroccan tourists slammed into a bridge support on a motorway near the French city of Blois, French media reported.

Another two dozen people were injured, seven of them gravely, in the crash, which occurred near 3 am (0100 GMT). Three of the injured were said to be fighting for their lives.

Police have determined that the bus suddenly swerved off the road and into the cement support. No other vehicles were apparently involved in the accident.

The bus left Casablanca for Paris on May 21 and was carrying 30 passengers and two drivers. (dpa)