French authorities probe Eurotunnel crash which injured 19 people

French authorities are investigating the cause of a collision between a minibus and a freight train at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel terminal near Calais which left 19 people injured.

Local officials said the cause of the accident, which took place in Coquelles on Thursday night, has yet to be determined.

It appeared 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.

The Eurotunnel terminal site is pictured after a shuttle bus crashed into a stationary freight train inside the Channel Tunnel’s secure loading terminal in Coquelles (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

AP

“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”.

She said: “Two trains were on either side of the platform.

It is currently unclear whether any British nationals are among the injured (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

AP

“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 currently unclear 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.

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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.

Getlink, which operates the Channel Tunnel, said 55 firefighters, 25 emergency medical personnel, 20 officers from the French National Police and 100 Eurotunnel employees were involved in the response to the incident.

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.”

GetLink said LeShuttle passenger services had been suspended for 90 minutes while the incident response took place.

“Following the incident that occurred yesterday evening at our Coquelles terminal, all Eurotunnel employees wish to express their shock and support for those injured, including one of their colleagues, as well as their families and loved ones,” GetLink said in a statement on Friday morning.

“This event has deeply affected all our colleagues.

“It is the first of its kind to occur on the Eurotunnel site since the start of its operations 32 years ago.”

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.”