At least 45 killed in passenger bus fire in Bulgaria

Authorities in Bulgaria have launched an investigation into a passenger bus fire that left at least 45 people dead and seven injured, according to state media, CNN reported.

After initially reporting 46 deaths, authorities now say it is unclear whether 45 or 46 people died in the incident, according to Bulgarian National Television (BNT).

Authorities believe the bus was carrying a total of 52 passengers, 12 of them children, when the fire erupted at around 3 a.m. local time Tuesday (8 p.m. ET Monday).

The bus, which had a North Macedonian registration, was traveling on Struma highway, west of the capital, Sofia. Most of the passengers were tourists from North Macedonia, authorities said. The bus driver was among the dead, according to BNT.