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French train crash kills children | French train crash kills children |
(10 minutes later) | |
A train has struck a school bus at a level crossing in the French Alps close to the Swiss border, killing at least five children, French police say. | |
A sixth person died in the accident near the town of Allinges in France's Haute-Savoie region but it was not clear whether it was another child. | A sixth person died in the accident near the town of Allinges in France's Haute-Savoie region but it was not clear whether it was another child. |
At least 30 people were also injured in the crash at around 1400 (1200 GMT), France's rail operator SNCF said. | At least 30 people were also injured in the crash at around 1400 (1200 GMT), France's rail operator SNCF said. |
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has sent condolences to the victims. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy has sent condolences to the victims. |
"All of us are thinking of the children, the adults, the victims," he said. "We can only hope there will be as few victims as possible." | "All of us are thinking of the children, the adults, the victims," he said. "We can only hope there will be as few victims as possible." |
Serious injuries | Serious injuries |
The train was travelling between the towns of Evian and Thonon-les-Bains when it struck the bus. | The train was travelling between the towns of Evian and Thonon-les-Bains when it struck the bus. |
The bus had been carrying 50 children and six adults from the town of Margencel to Yvoire. | The bus had been carrying 50 children and six adults from the town of Margencel to Yvoire. |
A regional official told Agence France-Presse news agency that four of the wounded on the bus were seriously hurt. | A regional official told Agence France-Presse news agency that four of the wounded on the bus were seriously hurt. |
An SNCF official said some of the train passengers were slightly hurt. | |
SNCF said initial investigations showed that the level crossing where the accident occurred was working normally. | |
Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie and the Secretary of State for Transport Dominique Bussereau were attending the scene of the accident. | Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie and the Secretary of State for Transport Dominique Bussereau were attending the scene of the accident. |