A tragic bus accident in eastern France has claimed the lives of two people, including a child and a young adult, while leaving 16 others injured, according to local authorities. The accident occurred on Friday morning, November 6, 2026, near the town of Lent in the Ain department, approximately 55 kilometres northeast of Lyon.
Authorities said the bus was travelling between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse when it suddenly veered off the road and crashed into a tree in a roadside ditch at around 7:00 a.m. local time. The vehicle was carrying 43 passengers, including 15 minors, according to the local prosecutor’s office.
The crash left two people dead, while 16 others sustained injuries. Three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition, and 13 suffered less serious injuries. Emergency services, including firefighters, police officers, medical teams and helicopters, were immediately dispatched to the scene to rescue passengers and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
Lent Mayor Yves Cristin said the bus had left the roadway and struck a tree. He described the incident as a tragedy for the local community, adding that the road was slightly wet and foggy at the time. However, authorities have not yet established the exact cause of the accident.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced that he was travelling to the accident site, while Education Minister Édouard Geffray expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He said the government’s thoughts were with the students affected by the incident and their loved ones.
