In brief
An unmanned minibus transporting lorry drivers crashed into a stationary freight train on the French loading platform of the Channel Tunnel at 19:27 UTC. Seventeen passengers and the driver sustained injuries, none life‑threatening, and were evacuated by helicopter. French officials confirmed that freight and Eurostar traffic remained unaffected after a brief stoppage. Investigators have begun probing the circumstances surrounding the collision, the first such incident on an Eurotunnel loading platform. Meanwhile, local media and witnesses noted the scene with emergency vehicles and a small bus damaged but upright.
A bus has collided with a stationary freight train at the loading platform of the Channel Tunnel’s French side, injuring 19 people, French authorities say.
The minibus was carrying lorry drivers who were due to board Le Shuttle for a cross‑Channel journey. The collision happened at 19:27 UTC (18:27 BST) in Coquelles, near Calais.
The driver and one passenger were severely hurt and were air‑lifted by helicopter. All other injuries were non‑life‑threatening, a local sub‑prefect confirmed.
Eurotunnel traffic – freight, Eurostar passenger and Le Shuttle services – was not disrupted. A brief pause to evacuate the injured was followed by normal operations.
Sub‑prefect Agathe Cury said the incident was unprecedented on a Eurotunnel loading platform. Witness accounts note that the bus remains upright, and emergency crews are on site.
A map of the tunnel shows its route from Folkestone in England to Coquelles in France. Three services run through: Eurostar passenger trains, freight, and Le Shuttle, which transports vehicles.
Eurostar released a statement that the incident “does not involve or impact Eurostar trains running from and to London” and that all Eurostar services would run as scheduled.
Images sourced from AFP via Getty Images. The first picture shows trains near the French entrance to the Channel Tunnel.
