Head-on collision between bus, truck in Argentina leaves at least 18 people dead

Firefighters put out the fire of a wrecked bus that collided head on with a truck near San Martin, Argentina, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. Authorities report multiple deaths and injuries in and local television stations have shown a video of the truck driving the wrong way moments before the collision. (AP Photo/Los Andes) (The Associated Press)

Firefighters put out the fire of a wrecked bus that collided head on with a truck near San Martin, Argentina, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. Authorities report multiple deaths and injuries and local television stations have shown a video of the truck driving the wrong way moments before the collision. (AP Photo/Los Andes) (The Associated Press)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Authorities in Argentina say a truck driving on the wrong side of a highway crashed head-on into a passenger bus, killing at least 18 people and injuring 12.

Matias Roby, health minister for Mendoza province, says the vehicles burst into flames when they collided Friday on National Route 7, about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) west of the capital, Buenos Aires.

A video taken by a motorist and broadcast on local television showed the truck, which had Brazilian plates and carried garlic, driving the wrong way minutes before the crash.

Roby said 12 of the bodies were burned in the bus and the other six people died after being taken to hospitals.

"The image of the bodies burned inside the bus was wrenching. I'd never seen anything like it," he said.