Ambassador: Three Ukrainians killed in French bus crash
Ukraine's Ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, shared details of the tragedy and the condition of the injured with an Ukrinform correspondent.
"There were 63 people on the bus. The main group consisted of teenagers aged 14 to 18. Tragically, four people died -- all adults. Three of them are Ukrainian citizens. The fourth is a man who was accompanying the group from the French side. He had ties with the French lyceum involved in the exchange program. Two people are in serious condition in intensive care, one of whom is currently undergoing surgery. Everyone is under severe stress," said Omelchenko, who has already visited the injured in hospitals.
According to him, the most common injuries are bruises and cuts.
At this point, the injured have been distributed among four hospitals. The majority are being treated at Le Mans hospital in the adult and pediatric units. Most of the injured have already been able to contact their families.
French gendarmes are currently interviewing the two bus drivers, both Ukrainian nationals. The incident is under close supervision by Ukraine's president and minister of foreign affairs.
"We're now doing all the necessary work on-site and starting a meeting with our diplomats. We need to figure out how, whom, and in what groups to bring back to Ukraine. Many have lost their documents, so our consulate will be operating here to provide everything needed. We've already found Ukrainian transport companies willing to volunteer and take some of the children back," Omelchenko said.
He added that tomorrow it will be clearer, based on medical evaluations, who is fit to travel back to Ukraine and who will need to remain in France for further treatment. Decisions will also be made regarding the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased.
Omelchenko emphasized that the rescue operation began immediately. A total of 148 rescuers were mobilized, and the injured were transported by four helicopters.
"All authorities — local and national — have been mobilized. We are in contact with the Elysee Palace and the crisis center of the French Foreign Ministry," he added.
As previously reported, none of the four people killed in the crash in France's Sarthe region were minors. However, among the nine severely injured are several Ukrainian teenagers.
Photo: DENIS LAMBERT
