A bus collides with a train in the Channel Tunnel, injuring 19

A minibus collided with a freight train on the French side of the Channel Tunnel Thursday evening, injuring 19 people. The accident occurred around 7:30 p.m. local time near a loading platform used for the LeShuttle service, which transports vehicles and passengers across the tunnel. According to the prefecture of Pas-de-Calais, none of the injured are in life-threatening condition. The collision did not disrupt passenger services operated by Eurostar or freight trains using the tunnel, though the LeShuttle service was halted for 90 minutes. The minibus was carrying truck drivers preparing to board a LeShuttle train for a cross-Channel trip. The prefecture stated that two of the injured required urgent transport to Lille Hospital, while the remaining 17 were taken to nearby medical facilities. The victims included individuals of various nationalities, including the minibus driver, who works for Eurotunnel. Consulates of foreign nationals among the injured were informed, according to officials. Emergency responders, including a helicopter from the mobile emergency and resuscitation unit (SMUR), firefighters, border police, and over 100 Eurotunnel staff, arrived at the scene promptly. The area was cordoned off Thursday night, with authorities stating this was the first such incident involving a loading platform at the tunnel site. An investigation into the accident has been launched under the charge of involuntary injury, according to prosecutors. The Channel Tunnel, which connects Coquelles in northern France to Folkestone in England, spans 50.5 kilometers and is the longest subsea infrastructure of its kind. Operated by Getlink, the tunnel sees hundreds of trains daily and millions of passengers annually. It offers both LeShuttle service for vehicles and freight rail operations. Eurostar confirmed that the incident did not involve any of its high-speed passenger trains traveling between London and continental Europe. This is not the first major incident in the tunnel’s history. In November 1996, a fire broke out inside a freight train within the tunnel, leading to months of suspended freight traffic and safety reviews. Another significant incident occurred in September 2008, when a freight train caught fire, causing reduced traffic for several months. According to the prefecture, the minibus struck a stationary freight train on the platform. Two trains were present on either side of the platform: one being loaded with trucks for a cross-Channel journey, and another already loaded and departing. For reasons yet to be determined, the minibus hit the departing train. The vehicle remained upright and did not overturn during the collision. Local media reported that five of the injured sustained serious injuries, primarily to their legs and heads. A photo published by La Voix du Nord showed the damaged minibus parked beside the freight train, with numerous emergency personnel and police officers on-site. The Channel Tunnel’s freight and passenger services operate simultaneously, with Eurostar handling all high-speed passenger trains through the tunnel. Officials emphasized that the incident had no impact on Eurostar’s schedule, with all trains continuing as planned. The accident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing complex logistics within the tunnel, which handles both freight and passenger traffic. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collision.