Two schoolgirls and a bus driver have died following a head-on collision between the school bus and a lorry near the quarry on the Dikomo-Kyrenia (Dikmen-Girne) road.

Turkish Cypriot police have confirmed that two 16-year-old girls, pupils of the Bulent Ecevit Secondary School, died in the crash. The third victim is said to be the driver of the bus.

According to TAK Turkish Cypriot news agency, seven people were also injured in the crash while three are being treated at Burhan Nalbantoglu Hospital in Nicosia. One of the victims is said to be in critical condition.

The two pupils that died had reportedly been seated at the front of the bus. The crash occurred at around 6.10am (Cyprus time) with the casualties arriving at hospital by 6.45am.

The head doctor at the hospital, Dr Bulent Dizdarli, has made an urgent call for blood donations for the injured.