A four-year-old Italian boy was among five people killed in a crash between a minibus and a car in Scotland, police said.
Five more people were injured in the accident on the A96 between Huntly and Keith, Moray, on Thursday night.
A woman in the minibus was also confirmed as being among those who died, while three passengers in the car, two women aged 69 and 70, and a 63-year-old man, also died.
Those injured, including a three-year-old Italian boy, were taken to hospital for treatment.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said the A96 was one of Scotland’s busiest roads and the loss of life was “difficult to take in”.
He said: “This is a truly horrific accident that has shocked the community given that so many people use the A96 day-in-day-out.
“The fact that there are so many casualties has been difficult for people to take in and with such a loss of life everyone’s thoughts are with those affected and their loved ones and friends at this difficult time.”
He added: “I pay tribute to the emergency services who dealt with what was a major road traffic accident.
“The A96 is the key route through Moray and anyone heading north from Aberdeen is likely to use this route.
“It’s one of Scotland’s busiest roads and a horrific accident of this nature with so many lives lost and people injured is difficult to take in.”
Police Scotland road policing sergeant Peter Henderson said: “Motorists are thanked for their patience at this time”.
Henderson added: ”[We] would urge anyone who was in the area last night leading up to the incident at around 11.50pm to please get in touch as our inquiries at the scene continue.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident at this very sad time.”
A section of the A96 has been closed with local diversions in place.