Seven-Year-Old Girl and 18-Year-Old Man Killed, 29 Injured in French Bus Crash

A bus carrying school pupils crashed on Friday morning, November 6, in Lent, in the Ain department of eastern France. Fanpage reported that pupils from middle and secondary schools were aboard.

The local mayor said the bus left the road and hit a tree in a ditch, according to the BBC. The available coverage does not establish why it went off the road.

Initial reports on November 6 described several victims without a confirmed death toll. The BBC reported that the education minister said students were involved.

Emergency services deployed helicopters to the scene, according to Euronews. Adnkronos reported that 70 people were involved and two injured people were in very serious condition.

Later coverage gave a clearer account of the fatalities. Sky News, citing French authorities, reported that a child and a young adult had died. Fanpage cited an initial Ain prefecture toll of two dead and 16 injured.

Deutsche Welle reported that French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot was on his way to the scene. Authorities also launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash, according to Euronews.

Two deaths are reported by multiple outlets, with Euronews identifying those killed as a minor and a young adult. No names are given in the supplied coverage.

The injury figures are less settled. Fanpage reported 16 injured in the prefecture's initial account, while Adnkronos described dozens injured. The supplied reports do not resolve that difference.

The investigation will need to establish what caused the bus to leave the road. Further official updates are also needed to clarify the injury toll and the condition of those seriously hurt.