Six people have been killed and 11 hurt after a suspected drink driver crashed into a group of German tourists at an Italian ski resort.

The deadly collision happened in the small town of Luttach near Bolzano in South Tyrol shortly after 1.00am.

It is believed the group of young people had been gathering to board a coach when they were struck by the vehicle.

The fire service said in a Facebook post the six dead were killed at the scene, while the injured were taken to several nearby hospitals.

Emergency services of the Luttach voluntary fire brigade after a car drove into a group of people leaving a bus in Luttach, near Bruneck in the northern region South Tirol, Italy | Image: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Luttach/AP/Press Association Images

The Italian Red Cross, which sent a rapid reaction team to help the victims, posted pictures of the emergency response on social media.

The 27-year-old driver of the car, who failed a breath test for alcohol, has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, police said.

Arno Kompatscher, regional president of Alto Adige, told a press conference the victims were part of a group of young Germans on holiday.

Mourners have left candles and flowers at the crash scene.

The tragedy happened on the final long weekend of the Christmas and New Year's holiday in Italy.