Two Killed, 16 Injured as Bus Carrying Schoolchildren Crashes in Eastern France

Two people, including a child and an 18-year-old man, have died after a passenger bus crashed in eastern France, leaving 16 others injured.

The accident occurred at about 7:00 a.m. local time on Friday in Lent, a town approximately 55 kilometres from the Swiss border. The bus was travelling from Lyon to Bourg-en-Bresse.

According to the Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor’s office, the vehicle was carrying 43 passengers, including 15 children. Three people are in critical condition, while 13 others sustained minor injuries.

Bus Hit Tree After Leaving Road

Lent Mayor Yves Cristin told French media that the bus left the road and struck a tree in a roadside ditch.

Describing the scene, Cristin said he arrived minutes after the crash and found passengers in shock. He also noted that part of the bus had been torn off, suggesting that passengers seated on that side may have suffered serious injuries.

The mayor said there was some fog and the road was wet at the time, although he reported no major difficulties with the weather conditions.

Investigation Launched

The prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the incident on charges of road homicide and aggravated road traffic injuries.

The bus driver, who was injured in the crash, has been taken to hospital and is yet to be questioned by police.

Authorities have identified the two deceased passengers as a young girl and an 18-year-old man, although reports have differed over the girl’s exact age.

Emergency Services Respond

More than 100 firefighters and 50 gendarmes were deployed to the scene, while medical helicopters transported seriously injured passengers to a specialist hospital.

The local town hall was also opened to provide shelter and support coordination with emergency responders.

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said the bus was not exclusively used for school transport, although many schoolchildren were among those on board.

Regional leader Fabrice Pannekoucke said there were no specific explanations for the crash at this stage, as investigations continue.

BBC news