At least 19 people sustained injuries on Thursday following a collision involving a minibus and a freight train at a loading platform near the entrance to the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais, northern France.
The Pas-de-Calais prefect’s office, headed by François-Xavier Lauch, however, stated in a statement on X that none of the injuries sustained were life-threatening, adding that ambulances, a helicopter and police were at the scene.
The minibus, which crashed into a train that was about to leave, was conveying truck drivers preparing to board the Le Shuttle service at the loading platform at the Eurotunnel site, the prefect’s office explained.
The statement read, “An accident involving a minibus transporting heavy goods vehicle drivers occurred this evening at the Eurotunnel site in Coquelles, at the loading dock level (for light and heavy vehicles). The minibus involved left its traffic lane for undetermined reasons and ended its course by colliding with the side of a Le Shuttle shuttle that was about to depart.
“The alert was raised at 7:27 p.m., and emergency services were activated at 7:36 p.m. Significant emergency resources were mobilized first by Eurotunnel, then deployed under the authority of the prefect of Pas-de-Calais. In total, 55 firefighters, 25 emergency medical service personnel, 20 national police officers, and 100 Eurotunnel agents intervened on site. A medical-psychological emergency unit (CUMP) was also activated to provide care for those in need.
“The final report indicates 19 people involved, including the driver. Among them, 2 people, classified as absolute emergencies, were transported to local hospitals. The other 17 people, who were slightly injured or involved, were transported to the hospitals in Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer. No deaths are to be reported, and no vital prognosis is engaged at this stage.”
Mr Lauch’s office also stated that the sub-prefect for the Calais district, Agathe Cury, went to the scene to monitor the situation, adding that the respective consulates of the passengers involved had all been informed.
“Regarding traffic conditions, Eurostar and freight traffic were not impacted and remained fluid. Passenger traffic for the Le Shuttle shuttle was temporarily interrupted for a total of 1h30 during the management of this accident.
“All cross-Channel traffic has now resumed normally. The emergency services and Eurotunnel teams mobilized ensured the care of the involved persons and the restoration of normal operating conditions at the site. The prefect of Pas-de-Calais thanks them for their commitment.”
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