Two killed in bus crash in eastern France, officials say

A bus travelling between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse crashed at around 07:00 local time on Friday in the town of Lent, eastern France, local authorities said.

The crash

The bus was carrying 43 passengers, including 15 children, the Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor's office said. A seven-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man were killed. Three people were in a critical condition and at least 13 others sustained minor injuries.

The town's mayor Yves Cristin told French media the bus "left the road and hit a tree in the ditch". Photos circulating in French media show a blue and white bus tilted in what appears to be a ditch on the roadside, with the front of the bus heavily damaged.

Investigation and response

The Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor's office said it was "opening an investigation into the incident, on charges of road homicide and aggravated road traffic injuries". The driver has been taken to hospital after sustaining injuries and has not yet been questioned by police. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said initial tests indicated there were no traces of alcohol or drugs in his blood.

Tabarot said the bus did not operate "exclusively on school routes" but that there were "many schoolchildren on board".

More than 100 firefighters and 50 gendarmes were at the scene, and medical helicopters were deployed to take victims with serious injuries to a specialised hospital. The local town hall was opened to provide shelter and coordinate with emergency services, the local mayor said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said his thoughts were with the victims, the injured, and their families. In a post on X, he said the nation stood by their side and thanked the rescue teams involved. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the accident was tragic, and thanked the firefighters, medical teams and police who attended the scene.

Why it matters

The crash killed two people and left at least 16 others injured, including three in critical condition. Authorities have opened a homicide investigation, and the driver has not yet been questioned.

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Sources

• bbc.com: Two dead after bus crashes in France, officials say
• france24.com: At least two killed, 23 injured in school bus accident in eastern France - France 24
• upi.com: France: 1 child, 1 young adult killed in morning bus crash - UPI.com
• newscord.org: Bus Crash In Lent Kills Child And Young Adult, Injures 13 In Eastern France: 9 outlets compared | NewsCord
• wionews.com: France school bus crash: Seven-year-old among two killed, several injured after driver dozes off
• rivieraradio.mc: Two dead after bus crashes in France, PM says | Riviera Radio

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.