A significant accident occurred on March 19, 2025, involving four military buses and a passenger vehicle on the A13 highway in Yvelines, near Guerville. The collision, which took place shortly before 19:00, has raised considerable alarm due to the number of individuals caught in the incident.
According to reports, the buses, which were transporting personnel from the Garde Républicaine, had a total of 119 people on board. The accident occurred when a passenger vehicle attempted to merge into the lane occupied by the buses, leading to a chain collision. Emergency services swiftly responded by activating the Novi plan, which is designed to manage incidents involving a significant number of victims.
As of approximately 21:00, the accident resulted in 28 injuries, with 26 people reported in relative emergency and 2 in absolute emergency, as confirmed by the department's fire and rescue service, Sdis 78. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported so far. Injured individuals were transported to nearby hospitals, and the most seriously injured were taken to medical facilities in Paris.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the collision began when the passenger vehicle braked suddenly, prompting a domino effect amongst the buses that were traveling with military personnel. These personnel were headed to Paris after attending a seminar. The buses, which individually carried around 50 students from various branches of the military—army, navy, air force, and gendarmerie—were returning from a visit to an air base in Évreux.
The immediate aftermath of the accident saw extensive rescue operations involving approximately 50 firefighters and 30 rescue vehicles. Multiple medical teams were dispatched to the site to provide assistance and manage the injuries of the passengers involved.
Traffic was severely affected as only one lane remained open while rescue operations were underway, causing delays and prompting the fire department to advise motorists to avoid the area. By late evening, just after 23:00, efforts were still ongoing to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow.
In a statement following the incident, Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister of the Armed Forces, extended his thoughts to those affected by this tragic event, highlighting that the driver of one of the buses and two student-officers were among those admitted to the Percy military hospital and were reportedly in stable condition. Lecornu’s remarks underscored the seriousness of the situation and the swift action taken by emergency services.
The impact of this accident has prompted a review of safety protocols for transporting military personnel, as such incidents can have far-reaching consequences not only for those involved but also for the families and comrades of the injured. The Garde Républicaine, which operates these buses, is likely to face scrutiny over the circumstances leading to this incident.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the focus will soon shift to a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision. Authorities will seek to determine how such a serious accident could occur and what measures can be taken to prevent future incidents. The community remains hopeful for the swift recovery of those affected while grappling with the unsettling nature of the event.
In summary, the harrowing collision on March 19 involving military buses on the A13 has resulted in injuries and significant disruption, highlighting the risks associated with road transport in crowded conditions. As the investigation unfolds, further updates will be provided regarding the condition of the injured and the conclusions drawn from this incident.
