19 injured in minibus and train collision at Channel Tunnel

Summarised from 9 outlets · 12 reports · Updated 15 Oct, 21:51 · Archive

A minibus collided with a freight train at the Eurotunnel loading platform in Pas-de-Calais, France, injuring 19 people, five seriously.

A minibus collided with a freight train at the Eurotunnel loading platform in Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais, on Thursday evening. The accident occurred around 8pm at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel site. Nineteen people were injured in the collision, including the driver of the minibus.

Five of those injured sustained serious injuries, according to the Pas-de-Calais prefecture. However, French authorities stated that no one's life was in danger and there were no deaths reported. Some of those injured sustained head and leg injuries, though authorities did not provide a full breakdown of the nature of all injuries.

The minibus was carrying heavy goods vehicle drivers who were preparing to board a LeShuttle train service to travel through the Channel Tunnel. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, with significant resources deployed by Eurotunnel and subsequently placed under the authority of the Prefect of the Pas-de-Calais department. The French emergency medical service, a mobile intensive care unit helicopter, and the fire and rescue service attended the scene.

A photograph published by local news outlet La Voix du Nord showed a badly damaged minibus on the platform, with police officers and staff in high-visibility jackets present at the scene. The exact circumstances of how the accident occurred, including how the minibus came to collide with the train, remain unclear as the investigation continued.

The Pas-de-Calais prefecture said in a statement that significant resources were deployed and that an initial situation update would be provided during a press briefing scheduled for 10.15pm. The local deputy prefect and representatives of local authorities were at the scene.

Eurostar initially cancelled two trains scheduled to depart on Thursday evening. However, Eurostar later issued a statement saying the incident is not expected to impact its service. It noted that the incident occurred several kilometres away from the Channel Tunnel itself and did not involve or impact Eurostar trains running between London and Paris, with all scheduled trains expected to run as planned.

How it is being reported

• Nineteen injured after bus crashes into train at entrance to Channel TunnelThe accident took place in Coquelles on Thursday night.Evening Standard · 15 Oct, 21:47
• Nineteen people injured in Eurotunnel accident near CalaisThe accident took place in Coquelles on Thursday night.Evening Standard · 15 Oct, 21:45
• Bus, train collide, injuring 19 at Channel Tunnel terminalA minibus carrying truck drivers collided with a freight train near the Channel Tunnel entrance in France, injuring 19 people, with five severely hurt. Emergency services rushed to the scene.DW News · 15 Oct, 21:42
• Nineteen injured in minibus accident on Eurotunnel loading platformFive people seriously hurt after incident involving vehicle carrying HGV drivers in Calais, say French authorities Nineteen people have been injured after a minibus was involved in an accident at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel near Calais, French authorities have said. Five people were severely injured though no one’s life appeared to be in danger, the local prefect said in a statement. Continue reading...The Guardian · 15 Oct, 21:36
• Nineteen people injured in Eurotunnel accident near CalaisThe accident took place in Coquelles on Thursday night.Evening Standard · 15 Oct, 21:21
• Channel tunnel crash latest: At least 19 people injured after bus and train collideThe collision occurred on the French side of the Channel TunnelIndependent World · 15 Oct, 21:04
• Channel Tunnel train crash live: At least 19 casualties as bus and train collideSeveral people have been injured after a train and bus collided at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel in Pas-de-Calais, FranceThe Mirror · 15 Oct, 20:58
• Channel Tunnel collision between bus and train leaves 19 injuredThe collision occurred on the French side of the Channel TunnelIndependent World · 15 Oct, 20:54
• Nineteen hurt after train ploughs into bus at the Channel Tunnel entranceThe collision unfolded on Thursday evening after the vehicle reportedly flipped onto railway tracks near the tunnel entrance in Pas-de-Calais.Daily Mail · 15 Oct, 20:50
• At least 19 injured as freight train crashes into bus at Channel Tunnel entranceAt least 19 people have been injured after a freight train crashed into a bus at the French Channel Tunnel entrance. French authorities have said none of the injuries were life threatening. The terrifying collision happened at the Pas-de-Calais entrance to the tunnel at around 8pm. MORE TO FOLLOW... TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Our Standards: The GB News Editorial CharterGB News · 15 Oct, 20:47
• Eurotunnel train smashes into minibus with multiple casualtiesPeople are fighting for life after a Channel Tunnel train ploughed into a minibus. At least 19 people have been injured at the French entrance to the Eurotunnel. The minibus flipped onto the railway tracks outside and was then struck by a different freight train in Pas-de-Calais. This is a…Metro · 15 Oct, 20:44
• 19 injured after Channel Tunnel collision between bus and train on French side19 people have been injured after a collision between a bus and train on the French side of the Channel Tunnel.Sky News · 15 Oct, 18:19

In this story: Channel Tunnel · Pas-de-Calais · Coquelles · Eurotunnel · Eurostar · France

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