Six children die as train hits school bus in France

The collision occurred at a level crossing near a wooded area in Millas - near the town of Perpignan - and left at least 18 people injured, many seriously.

The bus was carrying 16 youngsters aged between 11 and 17 from a secondary school in Millas and was "shredded" by the collision, according to witnesses.

Four children were pronounced dead on Thursday evening, with authorities confirming that another two 11-year-old girls had died overnight.

Ambulance arrives at train crash scene
The front half of the vehicle was left on the track pointing at an upwards angle, with the body crushed towards the middle.

One of the train passengers, named as Barbara, told local media the impact was "very powerful", adding that she thought the train was going to derail.

The train company - state-owned SNCF - tweeted a "heartfelt message of support to the victims and their families". It is believed to be one of the worst crashes involving a school bus in France for more than 30 years.

The train involved in the fatal bus crash
An SNCF spokesman added that the train was running at 80kph (49.7mph) at the time of the accident and there were 25 passengers on board, three of whom were "slightly injured".

The dead and critically injured were all travelling on the bus, with the injured survivors taken to hospitals for urgent treatment.

The train was travelling west from Perpignan to the town of Villefranche de Conflent when it hit the back of the bus, which the mayor of neighbouring Saint-Feliu-d'Amont, Robert Olive, described as a "vision of horror".



The drivers of the bus and train are to be tested for alcohol and drugs
"It was a classic crossing, well equipped and lit," a SNCF spokesman said.

"Several witnesses confirmed that the barrier had come down, so it worked."

Seventy firefighters were called to the scene, alongside 10 ambulances, two air ambulances and two police helicopters.

A "crisis coordination unit" was also set up, as was a medical aid centre to provide psychological support to those who were involved in the accident, according to a local official.