Two children killed in 'deliberate' bus crash into Quebec day care

A bus driver rammed his vehicle into a daycare centre near Montreal, killing two four-year-old children in what police believe was a deliberate act.

One child died on the scene and another in an ambulance, Canadian authorities said, after several children were trapped under the vehicle when it slammed into the building in the suburb of Laval at around 8:30.

"We think that this is deliberate, but we don't know the motive," local police chief Pierre Brochet said.

The 51-year-old suspect, named Pierre Ny St-Amand, seemed agitated as he appeared via video link in court.

He faces nine counts including premeditated murder and attempted murder.

Six other children transported to hospital are out of danger, said Laval police spokeswoman Erika Landry.

The case will resume on February 17, crown prosecutor Karine Dalphond said, with St-Amand remaining in a psychiatric hospital in the meantime.

The bus he drove appeared to have smashed into a side of the building which is near a parking lot away from the nearest road, remaining there with part of the roof collapsed on its front portion.

Quebec flags will be lowered and the Montreal Tower at the city's Olympic stadium will be dimmed as will the emblematic CN tower in Toronto, in honour of the victims.