At least four children were killed and seven people were
seriously injured on Thursday after a train crashed into a school bus at
a level crossing in southern France, police sources said.
The
bus, which was carrying mainly junior high school students, was struck
by the train in Millas about 18 kilometres west of the city of
Perpignan, close to the Spanish border.
A rescue operation was underway.
The
head of security for the Pyrenees area, where the collision took place,
confirmed the accident involving a train travelling west from Perpignan
to the town of Villefranche de Conflent.
The bus was transporting mainly junior high-school students.
The BFMTV channel said it was struck in the rear.
President
Emmanuel Macron in a tweet wrote: “All my thoughts for the victims of
this terrible accident involving a school bus, as well as their
families. The state is fully mobilised to help them.”
Prime
Minister Edouard Philippe and Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne were
on their way to the scene from a meeting in the south-central city of
Cahors.
“It's a terrible event,” Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said, expressing “profound sadness”.
