Nineteen injured after bus collides with Eurotunnel train

Nineteen individuals were injured when a minibus collided with a freight train at the Eurotunnel near Calais, according to French authorities. The incident occurred on Thursday night at the Coquelles loading platform. Local authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident. The minibus, which was transporting heavy goods vehicle drivers to board a LeShuttle train, struck a departing LeShuttle train on the platform, according to a local official.

The Pas-de-Calais prefecture confirmed that an accident involving a minibus carrying heavy goods vehicle drivers that was heading to board a LeShuttle train happened at the Eurotunnel site's loading platform. Significant resources were promptly deployed by Eurotunnel, and later placed under the authority of the Pas-de-Calais prefecture.

Early reports indicate that 19 people were involved in the collision, including the bus driver. No fatalities have been reported, and no one's life is considered to be in danger at this stage. Agathe Cury, the subprefect for the Pas-de-Calais region, was present at the scene on Thursday night. She stated that two trains were on either side of the platform - one being loaded with heavy goods vehicles for a cross-Channel journey, and another train that had already been loaded and was departing.

The minibus collided with the departing train, causing injuries to those involved. The minibus did not overturn but the impact caused injuries. The bus was carrying HGV drivers to their designated passenger area inside the LeShuttle train which was still being loaded on the platform. Ms. Cury confirmed that the passengers were of various nationalities, and the relevant consulates have been notified.

This accident marks the first time such an incident has occurred at a loading platform of this nature, according to Ms. Cury. She explained that Eurotunnel immediately deployed necessary resources to respond to the incident as swiftly as possible. Medical helicopters were deployed to transport the injured, but this caused a delay in Eurotunnel traffic for passengers.

The freight train traffic and Eurostar traffic were not affected by the incident. A judicial investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the incident, and Eurostar said the event is not expected to impact their service, as it occurred several kilometers away from the Channel Tunnel. All Eurostar trains will proceed as scheduled.