A minibus transporting workers collided with a freight train at the French entrance to the Channel Tunnel near Calais on Thursday evening. The impact injured the bus driver and 18 passengers, with two individuals—the driver and one passenger—sustaining severe injuries requiring helicopter evacuation. Local authorities confirmed that none of the injuries posed a threat to life.
The collision occurred at the loading platform in Coquelles at 19:27 local time. According to sub-prefect Agathe Cury, one train was in the process of being loaded with heavy goods vehicles ahead of a cross-Channel journey, while a second train that had already been loaded was departing the platform. The minibus, carrying workers of various nationalities who were preparing to board Le Shuttle, struck the departing train for reasons still under investigation. The vehicle remained upright despite the impact, though the collision caused injuries to those inside.
Cury stated that this marked the first incident of its kind to occur on a Eurotunnel loading platform. An investigation into the circumstances has commenced. The bus passengers consisted entirely of men representing multiple nationalities, though it remained unclear whether any British nationals were among the injured.
Operations through the tunnel resumed following a brief pause to evacuate and attend to the injured. Freight and Eurostar passenger services experienced no disruption. Eurostar subsequently clarified that the incident occurred outside the tunnel itself and did not affect any of its train operations. Le Shuttle, the vehicle transport rail service, and Eurostar, which carries passengers from London to various European destinations, continue operating normally.
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