Eurostar disruption after crash leaves 19 injured, including five in critical condition

A minibus carrying lorry drivers collided with a stationary freight train at the entrance of the Eurotunnel in France on Thursday evening, resulting in 19 people being injured, including five in critical condition. The crash occurred around 8:00 PM near Coquelles, near Calais, where lorry drivers board LeShuttle trains to cross the Channel.

Initially, French broadcaster TF1 reported five critically injured, but updated information stated that two individuals were critically injured and airlifted to Lille using emergency medical teams from the SAMU services covering Nord and Pas-de-Calais. Four others were taken to hospitals in Calais, three in Boulogne-sur-Mer, and one in Montreuil.

Nine people were still being examined at the scene. Eurotunnel services through the tunnel were suspended in both directions. No lives were in danger, and no deaths were reported. Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to the collision, with no mechanical problems or human error established at this time. Eurostar services were not affected by the accident.