CALAIS — At least 19 people have been injured after a collision between a bus and a train on the French side of the Channel Tunnel.
The collision between the minibus and a shuttle train happened on Thursday evening, French authorities said, adding that none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Two people were hospitalised with serious but not life-threatening injuries, while 17 others sustained minor injuries. The minibus driver was among those hurt.
The minibus carrying truck drivers was heading toward the tunnel entrance when it veered off course and struck the side of the shuttle train transporting vehicles through the busy Channel Tunnel between France and England. Authorities confirmed that the vehicle did not overturn.
“An accident involving a minibus transporting heavy goods vehicle drivers who were about to board a Le Shuttle shuttle occurred this evening, at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel site,” the Pas-de-Calais prefecture wrote on X.
The crash has occurred at the tunnel entrance in the town of Coquelles, near Calais.
The minibus driver was a Eurotunnel employee, while the victims were all men of different nationalities, according to local authorities.
The sub-prefect of Calais, Agathe Cury, said a judicial investigation had been opened, adding that it was the first accident of its kind at a Eurotunnel loading platform.
About 200 emergency responders, including ambulances, helicopters and police officers, were deployed to the scene.
Vehicle shuttle service through the tunnel was suspended for 90 minutes before gradually resuming late in the evening, authorities said. Eurostar passenger trains and freight services were unaffected.
The tunnel, which opened in 1994, carried 3.4 million vehicles last year, along with millions of Eurostar passengers.
Source: Saudi Gazette