A bus driven by a trainee crashed into the River Seine in a suburb south of Paris on Thursday, after hitting a parked car and veering off the road, officials said.
The incident occurred in Juvisy-sur-Orge, about 20 km (12 miles) from the capital, as the driver was nearing the end of her practical training. According to the local transport authority, Île-de-France Mobilités, a lead driver was also present on board alongside two passengers. All four occupants were rescued from the water, thanks to an emergency response involving more than 90 firefighters, divers, and police.
Drug and alcohol tests administered to the trainee driver returned negative, a spokesperson confirmed. The cause of the crash remains unknown. The president of the transport authority has ordered an internal investigation.
Juvisy-sur-Orge Mayor Lamia Bensara Reda stated that the driver "lost control" near a station close to the riverbank, "before plunging into the Seine and dragging a parked car with it." She added, "Everyone was quickly rescued and, thankfully, is safe and sound."
An eyewitness, Elisabeth, 55, told French news agency AFP that bystanders threw life rings into the water before emergency services arrived. Another witness, Amine, 19, said it seemed "every firefighter in the department was there." Rescue boats, a drone, and helicopters were deployed. The bus was pulled from the river around 2 p.m. local time, and the parked car was also retrieved.
The Essonne prefecture said the number of casualties is still being finalised.