A bus carrying 43 passengers left the road and crashed into a tree on Friday morning in eastern France, near the commune of Lent in the Ain department, close to the Swiss border. As a result of the accident, at least two people have died and 16 others have been injured, the Ain prefecture and the Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor’s office announced.
The accident occurred around 7:00 a.m. while the bus was travelling from Lyon to Bourg-en-Bresse. According to data from the prosecutor’s office and the prefecture, there were 15 children or minors among the passengers. A source close to the investigation said the vehicle left the road and ended up in a canal, while the Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor’s office confirmed that among the victims are one minor and one young adult.
French Prime Minister Sebastien announced the death of two children without giving further details, while local media initially reported two dead children. French Education Minister Edouard Geffray confirmed that there were students among the passengers and expressed sorrow over the accident.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced on the American social media platform X that he was heading to the scene. According to the Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor’s office, three people have been taken to emergency care with life-threatening injuries, while 13 others have sustained minor injuries.
The most seriously injured have been transported to a specialised hospital. The bus driver, who was also injured, has been taken to hospital and has not yet been questioned by police. Emergency teams, medical helicopters and more than 100 firefighters have been deployed at the scene. Meanwhile, the city hall of the commune has been opened to provide shelter and coordinate the operations of the emergency teams.