At least 27 people, mostly students, have been injured after a car crashed into a school bus in Gers, southwestern France on Thursday afternoon, local authorities said

The car driver and 26 students were injured, according to Gers prefecture.

Five students have suffered serious injuries.

The bus was carrying 45 students and five adults, including the driver, when the accident occurred at 12.48 p.m. local time (1148GMT) in Manciet commune.

An investigation has been launched into the incident.

The car driver did not stop for the school bus, French broadcaster BFMTV reported.

Last month, a train hit a school bus at a crossing in southern France, killing at least six school children.