At least 19 people have been injured after a minibus collided with a train at the Eurotunnel loading platform near Calais, France, on Thursday night. The accident occurred in Coquelles, in the Pas-de-Calais department, according to French authorities.
Accident at the Eurotunnel loading platform
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.”
No fatalities reported
“Early reports suggest that 19 people were involved, including the driver,” the statement added. “At this stage, there are no fatalities, and no one’s life is considered to be in danger.”
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 services unaffected
A representative of the local authorities is currently on-site, the statement added. An update is to be provided during a press briefing scheduled for 10.15pm.
Eurostar said the incident is not expected to impact its 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.”
