Authorities say it was an accident. The driver, a 76-year-old man, is said to have lost control of the wheel. The emergency services turned out en masse. It was very busy in the coastal town at the time of the accident, due to an international kite festival.
In total, the fire service counted 11 victims, including ten injured and a child who was in shock. Four women aged 40, 52, 75 and 82 were seriously injured, the fire service reported. Two of them were transported by helicopter to the university hospital in Lille, the others to the hospital in Rang-du-Fliers.