Two minibuses from the Var region, carrying children to Slovenia for a sports trip, were involved in an accident on Friday. The Var prefecture is reporting possible casualties. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a crisis unit

The Var prefecture announced in a press release that two minibuses carrying Var nationals, including children aged between 8 and 15, were involved in a road accident in Slovenia on Friday 5 July.

“At present, one child and the driver of the minibus involved in the accident are reported dead”, the prefecture said.

Dean Boznik, spokesman for the Nova Goriza police, told AFP: “The French driver of the minibus, aged 40, collided with a stationary lorry and died, as did a minor passenger sitting on his right in the front seat.”

The French-registered minibus was carrying eight children and was accompanied by another minibus, which was in front and “did not see what was happening”, according to Mr Boznik. An investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the tragedy. “No cause has been ruled out at this stage”.

The two vehicles were taking part in a sports trip. The children and accompanying adults are currently being repatriated. The crisis unit of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs has also been activated.