Germany coach crash: 17 people unaccounted for after Bavaria tour bus smash

Seventeen people are unaccounted for after after a coach went up in flames after crashing into a truck in Germany, leaving dozens of people injured.

Police said 31 people were hurt after the smash involving a tour bus near Muenchberg in Bavaria on Monday morning.

Police spokeswoman Irene Brandenstein said 46 passengers and two drivers were on the bus, meaning 17 people remained unaccounted for.

Helicopters and ambulances were on the scene to rescue the injured and the A9 highway was closed in both directions.

Police said several people were severely injured in the crash,  but they had no further details immediately.

"It is completely possible that some people did not make it out of the bus, it's unclear where 17 of them are," police spokeswoman Anne Hoefer said, adding that 31 people were injured.

The crash happened near Muenchberg in Bavaria.