A car hit a group of German holidaymakers in northern Italy on Sunday, leaving six dead and injuring 11, emergency services said.

The fatal crash took place in the village of Luttach in the Ahrntal Valley, when the young tourists were boarding a bus, just after 1am.

In a Facebook post, the Luttach volunteer fire service said the six dead were killed at the spot while the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals.

The police are reportedly investigating claims that the driver, who is believed to be a local, had a high alcohol blood content.

The largely German-speaking autonomous region of northern Italy is a tourist hotspot due to ski resorts in the Dolomites and picturesque villages around Bolzano.