Two killed as bus leaves road in eastern France
Authorities are examining what led the vehicle off the carriageway near Lent, while the driver receives hospital treatment.
Key points
- Two deaths, a girl and an 18-year-old man, followed a road accident in eastern France
- The vehicle was transporting 43 people, 15 of them children
- Three passengers are seriously hurt and at least 13 others suffered lesser injuries
- Early checks on the driver detected no alcohol or drugs
- Prosecutors have launched a probe into road homicide and aggravated injuries
Two people are dead after a bus left the road in eastern France on Friday, according to local officials. Those killed were a young girl and an 18-year-old man, and their identities have been confirmed. Reports disagree on the girl’s exact age.
The crash happened around 07:00 local time near the town of Lent. The bus was on a journey from Lyon towards Bourg-en-Bresse when the accident occurred. According to the BBC, the vehicle struck a tree in a roadside ditch.
Passengers and injuries
Forty-three people were on the vehicle, among them 15 children, the prosecutor’s office in Bourg-en-Bresse reported. Three of the injured are in serious condition, while at least 13 others have lighter injuries.
The driver was admitted to hospital with injuries. Police have not interviewed him so far. Transport minister Philippe Tabarot said early testing found no sign of alcohol or drugs in the driver’s system. Tabarot added that the bus did not run exclusively on school routes, though many pupils were travelling on it.
Yves Cristin, the mayor of Lent, told BFM TV that he reached the scene minutes after the collision and found people badly shaken. He said the side of the bus had been ripped away and that those seated there were likely badly hurt.
Speaking to Le Figaro, Cristin described some fog and a damp road at the time, but said no major difficulties had been reported.
Investigation and official reaction
Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the incident. The inquiry relates to alleged road homicide and serious traffic-related injuries.
Fabrice Pannekoucke, who heads the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, told Le Figaro that it is too early to offer any explanation or interpretation. President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X that the country stands alongside those hurt and bereaved, and he thanked the emergency crews who responded.
What is still unclear
The cause of the crash has not been established. Images published by French media show a blue and white bus resting at an angle in a roadside ditch. Trees line the road, and the front of the vehicle looks badly damaged.
Officials say the investigation will determine how the crash happened. For now, the confirmed facts are the deaths, the casualty figures and the probe, while the reasons remain unknown.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the France bus crash?
Two people were killed when the bus went off the road near Lent in eastern France. They were a young girl and an 18-year-old man, according to local authorities.
What is known about the cause of the crash?
No cause has been confirmed. Early checks on the driver showed no alcohol or drugs, and the investigation is continuing.
How many people were on the bus?
Forty-three people were aboard, including 15 children, according to the Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutoru0026#039;s office.
Sources
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