Kiev - Seven persons died in a bloody Ukrainian auto smashup on a highway near the Crimean city of Simferopol, the Interfax news agency reported Thursday.

The accident took place when a small four-seat car with seven people left its lane and collided with a lorry travelling in the opposite direction.

The heavy freight vehicle tore off the left side and roof of the smaller Soviet-era VAZ passenger car, which ended in a ditch.

All seven occupants of the VAZ - including three children, one a 6-month-old baby - died. The lorry driver suffered light injuries.

The seven people were members of two families heading to the Black Sea for a summer holiday, according to the report.

Unsafe passing or driver fatigue were the most likely causes of the accident, police at the scene said.

Ukraine's roads are among Europe's most dangerous due to poor road quality, frequently inexperienced drivers, and poorly-enforced traffic laws.

Ukrainian President Viktor has called the country's road mortality rate - per capita among the world's worst - a "national disgrace," but with little effect on casualty numbers. (dpa)