Paris - Six students were killed in western France on Thursday when part of a truck hit the school bus they were travelling in.
The Interior Ministry said the accident took place when part of the truck’s equipment swung out and struck the side of the school bus.
Video images showed the back end and side of the bus with deep impact marks.
Eighteen students were in the bus, according to a provisional count by the Elysee Palace.
Three students were injured, it said.
An investigation was launched into the circumstances of the accident in the coastal town of Rochefort, Mayor Herve Blanche told French broadcaster iTele.
He said that weather conditions couldn’t explain the accident.
DPA