The images, broadcast by the mayor (LR) of Cannes David Lisnard, are impressive. We can see a row of two wheels, parked, completely lying with a bus from the network of the urban community (Pays de Lérins) overlapping them. A bus traveling in the opposite direction is believed to be the cause of the accident.
“Spectacular bus accident in front of the ferry terminal, writes the one who is also the boss of the mayors of France, in a message posted on Twitter, renamed X. 27 injured apparently – and fortunately – lightly. Which is unexpected. Very shocked victims. 15 crashed two-wheelers. Area to avoid. Help is on the way.”
The victims were transported to hospitals in Cannes, Grasse and Antibes. The accident occurred around 7 p.m., on a very busy and commercial axis, the Place du Général-de-Gaulle, located between the town hall and the famous Croisette. Miraculously, during this summer and tourist period, no pedestrians were affected.
The bus driver mentions “a technical problem”
“All the elements and testimonies are gathered to analyze this change of trajectory and acceleration of one of the two buses. The investigation must determine the causes of the loss of trajectory of one of the two buses, ”continues the mayor on the same social network.
According to the first elements of the investigation, the driver of the uncontrollable bus, injured, would have mentioned “a technical problem”. Alcohol and toxicology tests will be carried out on the two bus drivers. Traffic was cut off during the emergency response.
The maritime station was transformed into a crisis hospital while at least 62 firefighters distributed in 25 machines were dispatched to the site, according to our colleagues from the regional daily Nice-Matin. They set up two fire hoses to avoid any risk of fire on the damaged vehicles.
“We were sitting on the terrace eating, we saw the bus arrive at at least 70 km per hour, it made a crazy noise. General panic, people all got up and ran away. My scooter went under the wheels of the bus! I was shocked, I was just crying, I was scared. Fortunately, we thought we weren’t getting back on our scooter at the time. Being on the terrace saved our lives, ”says a witness to Nice-Matin. “We saw a bus arriving at high speed in the opposite direction,” confirms another.
An investigation was opened by the prosecution and entrusted to the Urban Security of Cannes, indicates Nice-Matin.
