THREE people have been killed and several injured after a tour bus crashed into a cliff in south-west France.
The accident happened on Sunday afternoon near the Pyrenean ski resort of Porté-Puymorens in Andorra.
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The bus was carrying 48 passengers and overturned on the RN320 road after colliding with a cliffCredit: AFP
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A Spanish bus traveling between Barcelona and Andorra overturned on a mountain road in the Porté-Puymorens ski resortCredit: AFP
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Police officers, members of the pediatric team in Toulouse and emergency services operate from a makeshift command postCredit: AFP
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Eight people, including a child, were allegedly injured.
The bus was carrying 48 passengers and overturned on the RN320 road after colliding with a cliff.
A spokesman for the local emergency services said: “Five helicopters are involved in the operation to rescue multiple victims.”
“So far, three people have died, and eight of them are in intensive care in nearby hospitals,”
“One of those in intensive care is a four-year-old child who was traveling with his parents.”
The bus, which was returning to its home depot in Barcelona after a day trip to Andorra, was the only vehicle involved in the accident.
The driver is believed to have lost control after a brake problem.
A witness named only as Laurent, an off-duty firefighter, told the Perpignan-based Indépendant newspaper: “We were driving behind. He [the driver] it moved zigzag for a kilometer and a half.
“It looked like it was trying to rub the barrier, like it was trying to lose speed, before it crashed into the cliff.”
Jean-Philippe Augé, the mayor of Porté-Puymorens, said: “This is a tragedy and we have to be careful with the casualties. They could rise overnight.
“What I can tell you is that the road in question, the RN320, is not known for being particularly accident prone.
“It’s narrow, of course, and the downhill bend is a bit sharp, but so far it’s never been the cause of accidents of this magnitude.”
Mr Augé said a ‘psychological unit’ had been set up at a resort in his town to help survivors and their families.
All those on the bus spent the day Christmas shopping in El Pas de la Casa, an Andorran ski resort about 250 miles from Barcelona.
François Durovray, France’s transport minister, said on X: “My thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those injured.
“I would like to commend the commitment of the emergency services, security services and local authorities in this dramatic situation. I am closely monitoring the situation – safety on our roads remains an absolute priority.”
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Source: HIS Education