Police in Brazil say as many as 54 people died on Saturday when a bus drove off a cliff in the country's southern state of Santa Catarina.

The bus was en route from the neighbouring state of Parana when it swerved and fell off a cliff before crashing in a wooded area. Rescue teams worked into the night trying to help survivors and recover the bodies of the victims.

Initially, police reported 32 people had been killed. But later they said an additional 19 bodies had been found. Police say six survivors are being treated for injuries.