Nineteen people injured in Eurotunnel accident near Calais
Medical helicopters were deployed to the scene of the accident in Coquelles on Thursday night.
Nineteen people were injured when a minibus collided with a freight train at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel near Calais, French authorities have said.
The cause of the accident, which took place in Coquelles on Thursday night, has yet to be determined, local authorities added.
It appears the minibus, which was carrying heavy goods vehicle drivers, collided with a departing LeShuttle train on the platform, a local official told reporters.
The Pas-de-Calais prefecture said in a statement: “An accident involving a minibus carrying heavy goods vehicle drivers, headed to board a LeShuttle train, occurred this evening at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel site.
“Significant resources were immediately deployed by Eurotunnel, and subsequently placed under the authority of the Prefect of the Pas-de-Calais department.
“Early reports suggest that 19 people were involved, including the driver.
“At this stage, there are no fatalities, and no one’s life is considered to be in danger.”
Agathe Cury, the subprefect for the Pas-de-Calais region, attended the scene on Thursday night.
She told reporters two of the injured were taken to the Hospital Centre University De Lille to get “appropriate care”, while the others were taken to hospitals in Boulogne, Dunkirk, and Rang-Du-Fliers for “check-ups”.
In an update on the circumstances of the incident, she explained: “Two trains were on either side of the platform.
“One was being loaded by heavy goods vehicles ahead of a cross-Channel journey, and another train that had previously been loaded was departing.
“For a reason that currently remains unknown, the minibus collided with the departing train.
“The bus did not overturn, it is still upright – but the shock and the collision caused injuries to the people involved.”
She confirmed the minibus was carrying the HGV drivers to their dedicated passenger space inside the LeShuttle train which was still being loaded on the platform.
“There were various nationalities and the relevant consulates have been informed,” she added.
It is not currently know whether any British nationals are among the injured.
“It is the first time an accident on a loading platform of this type has occurred,” Ms Cury added.
“This is why we immediately deployed the resources necessary to respond to this incident as quickly as possible.”
Ms Cury indicated medical helicopters were deployed to transport the injured, leading to a delay in Eurotunnel traffic for passengers.
“The freight train traffic was not interrupted, the Eurostar traffic was not interrupted.
“The passenger traffic was suspended for an hour and a half while helicopters dealt with the injured.”
A judicial investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the incident, Ms Cury added.
A photograph published by local news outlet La Voix du Nord showed a badly damaged minibus on the platform, with police officers and staff in high-visibility jackets present at the scene.
Injured people who have been pixelated also appear to be receiving treatment on the platform.
Eurostar said the incident is not expected to impact their service.
It said in a status update: “An incident occurred several kilometres away from the Channel Tunnel.
“This incident does not involve or impact Eurostar trains running from and to London.
“All of Eurostar trains will run as expected.”
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “We are following reports of a collision on the French side of the Eurotunnel.
“Our thoughts are with all those impacted.
“We stand ready to provide consular assistance to any British Nationals involved.”