Bus accident in Ain: the prefecture announces that two people have died, including a minor

A serious bus accident occurred this Friday morning in Lent, in the Ain department, about ten kilometers south of Bourg-en-Bresse. The bus, an intercity route, was carrying, among other passengers, students. The vehicle left the road, struck a tree, and came to rest in a ditch. The prefecture reported two fatalities, including a minor.

The bus left the road and crashed into a tree.

The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on departmental road 22, as the intercity bus was heading towards Bourg-en-Bresse. Approximately 70 people were on board, including children on their way to school.

The mayor of Lent, Yves Christin, described the circumstances of the accident: "The bus left the road and hit a tree in the ditch." The vehicle came to a stop on the shoulder, requiring a major rescue operation. The reasons for the accident remain unknown.

Two people in cardiorespiratory arrest, numerous injured

The initial report from the mayor indicated two people in cardiorespiratory arrest and several others injured. The Ain prefecture confirmed the presence of "several victims" without providing a specific number or detailing their condition.

Reports of two deaths also circulated this morning, but authorities had not confirmed these deaths at the time of writing. The exact number of injured, their ages, and the severity of their injuries remain to be determined.

Two helicopters mobilized and a crisis cell activated

Given the severity of the accident, emergency services deployed significant resources. Numerous firefighters, medical teams, and law enforcement officers were mobilized. Two helicopters were also dispatched to assist in the rescue operations.

The prefect of Ain activated the departmental operations center (COD), responsible for coordinating the various services involved. The municipal emergency plan was also triggered, while a neighboring town made premises available to accommodate the passengers' families.

The Minister of Transport and the Minister of National Education react

Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced he would be going to the scene. "Following the serious bus accident in Lent, I am going there," he said.

The Minister of National Education, Édouard Geffray, also reacted to the tragedy: "It is always a difficult experience when our students, our children, are victims of an accident of this nature." He offered his condolences to the families and expressed the support of the government and the educational community.

This accident is reminiscent of the one that occurred near Châteaudun, in Eure-et-Loir, in January 2025 , when a 15-year-old high school student lost her life in a bus carrying students running off the road.

Departmental road 22 closed to traffic

Departmental road 22 has been closed to traffic to allow emergency services to respond. Detours have been set up and authorities have asked motorists to avoid the area to facilitate access for emergency vehicles.

Rescue operations continued throughout the morning. The exact circumstances of the accident, including why the driver left the road, had not yet been determined.