Public transport accidents remain relatively rare. In January 2025, a high-school girl was killed and 20 students were injured near Châteaudun (Eure-et-Loir) when a school bus overturned on a roadway.
The coach left the road and struck a tree in the ditch, said the mayor of Lent, the commune where the accident occurred.
The latter opened an investigation for road homicide. The precise circumstances of the vehicle leaving the road remain to be determined.
The driver, who was hospitalized, has not yet been able to be interviewed at this stage, the Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor's office said.
The Prime Minister sent his"thoughts"to the victims' families.
The tragedy occurred around 7 a.m. The vehicle, a regional line running between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse, was carrying many students.
One hundred and two firefighters, with 58 vehicles, and 50 gendarmes were deployed on site, according to a prefecture statement. According to the prosecutor's office, 43 people were on board, including fifteen minors on their way to their schools. Sixteen other passengers were injured, including three in absolute emergency and thirteen slightly, according to the prosecutor's office and the prefecture.