At least 38 pilgrims have been killed after the coach they were travelling in careered off a motorway flyover in southern Italy.

The coach crashed through the barrier on a section of motorway near Avellino, in the Campania region, falling nearly a hundred feet before landing in scrub.  

The 48 passengers were returning to Naples from a pilgrimage in San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Puglia.  The pilgrimage, which started on Friday, was to a church dedicated to Saint Pio of Peitrelcina, who was canonised by Pope John Paul II in 2002. 

Children are included among the fatalities.  At least 10 people have been injured, some seriously. The driver is reported to be among the dead.

Fireman Pellegrino Iandolo told Sky Italia television: "The situation is critical.  Our men are working to save as many lives as possible."

It is not clear what caused the accident, which occurred at around 8:30pm local time and involved several other vehicles on the flyover.