A serious incident occurred on Thursday evening, 15 October, involving a minibus and a stationary freight train close to the Channel Tunnel entrance in Coquelles, near Calais, France. The collision has left at least 19 individuals injured, with two victims sustaining severe injuries that necessitated airlifting to a hospital in Lille.
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Witnesses reported that the minibus, which was carrying passengers bound for the Le Shuttle rail service, collided with a train around 7:27 p.m. local time. According to Agathe Cury, the sub-prefect of Calais, there were two Le Shuttle trains present at the loading dock at the time of the accident—one was being loaded with lorries to travel through the Channel Tunnel, while the other was poised for departure after earlier loading.
Despite the impact, the bus did not overturn, but it resulted in injuries to the Eurotunnel driver and a number of passengers. In total, 19 people received medical attention, and reports indicate that two of these individuals exhibited serious injuries, leading to their subsequent evacuation via helicopter to the hospital.
Emergency services were dispatched promptly to the scene, and the injured were transported to various local hospitals, including facilities in Calais, Boulogne, Dunkirk, and Rang-du-Fliers. Cury stated during a press briefing that fortunately, no lives are currently considered to be at risk.
While there was a temporary halt in transit to allow for the evacuation of the injured, authorities confirmed that the incident did not disrupt freight services or Eurostar passenger traffic. The Eurostar company issued a statement reassuring passengers that its services to and from London remained operational and unaffected by the incident.
The police and emergency responders were swift in their response, managing the situation effectively amidst the chaos. Local officials have initiated an investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the crash and to determine the sequence of events leading up to the collision.
Agathe Cury has called for patience as the investigation unfolds, and she reaffirmed the commitment of local authorities to ensuring the safety of both rail and road travel in the region. As the situation develops, further updates will be provided to the public, particularly regarding the health status of those injured.
Travelers in the area are advised to stay informed about any changes in local transport services as operations continue to run smoothly despite the recent incident. This collision serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with the integration of different transport systems and the need for ongoing vigilance to enhance safety measures.