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Two killed in Lent bus crash as prosecutors open inquiry
The bus was carrying 43 people on a route between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse. Three were in a critical condition, prosecutors said; injury counts differ.
Prosecutors have opened an inquiry after a bus crash killed two people near Lent in eastern France on Friday morning. The bus was carrying pupils and hit a tree at about 7am, local authorities said.
The bus was on the route between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse. Prosecutors said 43 people were aboard, including 15 children on their way to school.
Euronews later put the injury toll at 18. France 24’s account gave 23 people hurt.
Prosecutors said three people were in a critical condition. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said about 20 others had less severe injuries, France 24 reported.
Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into homicide by vehicle. They said the driver had been taken to hospital and had not yet been questioned.
Lent mayor Yves Cristin said the bus had left its lane and crossed the road. It came to rest in a ditch on the other side after hitting a tree.
Cristin said the road was slightly wet. He could not explain why the bus had left its lane, Deutsche Welle reported. The cause remains under investigation.
The Ain prefecture launched an emergency response plan and sent rescue teams, police and two helicopters, Euronews reported. The road around the site was closed, according to Deutsche Welle.
A local hall opened to shelter those involved in the crash. Education Minister Édouard Geffray expressed concern for the pupils and their families. Tabarot was travelling to the scene.
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