At least 21 people have been killed and dozens more injured in a bus crash in South Africa's Western Cape Province.

The accident occured when a bus, carrying 80 passengers, collided with a large truck near the town of Laingsburg.

It was travelling from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape province.

Emergency rescue workers said it was likely both vehicles were travelling at high speed.

The BBC South Africa correspondent says road deaths normally rise significantly in December and January as a result of speeding and drink driving.

More than one thousand people were killed during the festive period last year.