Bus crash in eastern France leaves several victims

A bus crash in the town of Lent in eastern France has resulted in "several victims", officials said. The accident took place on Friday morning at approximately 07:00 local time (06:00 GMT).

The incident occurred north-east of Lyon, roughly 34 miles (55km) from the Swiss border. Mayor Yves Cristin stated the bus "left the road and hit a tree in the ditch".

Images shared by French media show a blue and white bus with heavy front-end damage resting in a roadside ditch. The area is lined with trees.

Emergency crews are attending the site, and a helicopter has been sent to transport those with serious injuries to a specialised hospital. Two individuals were in cardiac arrest, according to Cristin.

Education minister Édouard Geffray noted that students were on the bus. Transport minister Philippe Tabarot said he was travelling to the location.

Geffray told reporters his thoughts were with "students involved in the accident". He added that it was "always difficult when our children are victims of accidents of this nature".