Minibus se sudario s vlakom na ulazu u francuski tunel, 19 ozlijeđenih

A minibus collided with a stationary freight train at the French end of the Channel Tunnel on Thursday, October 15, injuring 19 people. The accident occurred around 7:30 p.m. at the Coquelles terminal in the Pas-de-Calais region, according to local officials. The minibus was carrying truck drivers who were preparing to board a LeShuttle train, which transports vehicles and passengers through the tunnel. None of the injured required life-saving treatment, officials said. The collision took place on the platform used for vehicle loading. According to the deputy prefect of Calais, Agathe Cury, two trains were present on either side of the platform: one being loaded with trucks for a cross-channel trip, and another already prepared to depart. For reasons currently unknown, the minibus struck the departing train but did not overturn during the impact. The driver of the minibus, identified as an employee of Eurotunnel, was among the injured. Of the 19 injured individuals, two required urgent transport to the hospital in Lille, while the remaining 17 were taken to nearby hospitals. Officials confirmed that the foreign embassies of the injured had been informed. The accident caused a disruption to the LeShuttle service, halting operations for approximately 90 minutes before resuming later in the evening. However, Eurostar passenger trains and freight services continued to operate normally throughout the incident. Emergency services, including a mobile intensive care unit helicopter, firefighters, and border police, responded promptly to the scene. Approximately 100 Eurotunnel staff also assisted in the initial response efforts. The area was secured by Thursday evening, with officials stating that this was the first recorded accident of its kind at the loading platform within the tunnel complex. An investigation has been launched into the incident, initiated by the prosecutor’s office in Boulogne-sur-Mer. The Channel Tunnel, which connects Coquelles in northern France to Folkestone in England, spans 50.5 kilometers and has been in operation since 1994. Managed by Getlink, the tunnel sees hundreds of trains pass through daily and carries millions of passengers annually. Eurostar, the operator of passenger services through the tunnel, confirmed in a statement that no Eurostar trains were involved in the incident and that there were no disruptions to its services. The company emphasized that the accident had no effect on the movement of Eurostar trains traveling between France and London. The LeShuttle service, operated by Getlink, facilitates the transportation of vehicles and goods between France and the United Kingdom. This particular incident marks the first time such a collision has occurred at the loading platform within the tunnel system. Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the accident, though investigations are ongoing.