French officials investigate Eurotunnel bus‑train collision that injured 19
A minibus carrying heavy‑goods drivers struck a departing LeShuttle train at the Eurotunnel terminal near Calais, injuring 19 people.
By Felo News Desk · Published
French authorities are probing a collision between a minibus and a freight train at the Eurotunnel loading platform in Coquelles, near Calais, that left 19 people injured, according to statements from the Pas‑de‑Calais prefecture.
What happened
The incident occurred on Thursday night at the Eurotunnel terminal loading platform. A minibus carrying heavy‑goods vehicle drivers attempted to board a departing LeShuttle train when it struck the train. The bus remained upright after the impact. Nineteen people, including the driver, were reported injured. Two of the injured were taken to the Hospital Centre University De Lille for "appropriate care" while the others were taken to hospitals in Boulogne, Dunkirk and Rang‑Du‑Fliers for check‑ups.
What the reports add
Both Standard articles repeat the prefecture’s statement that "significant resources were immediately deployed by Eurotunnel, and subsequently placed under the authority of the Prefect of the Pas‑de‑Calais department." The second article adds a description of the platform layout, noting that two trains were on either side of the platform – one being loaded with heavy goods vehicles and the other departing – and that the reason for the collision remains unknown.
What was said
Agathe Cury, the sub‑prefect for the Pas‑de‑Calais region, told reporters that two of the injured were taken to the Hospital Centre University De Lille and the rest to nearby hospitals. She said, "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."
How it came about
Eurotunnel operations involve a secure loading terminal where buses board freight trains for cross‑Channel journeys. The collision follows a previous day’s incident at the same site that also involved a bus and a freight train, reported by Felo News on 15 October 2026 (Bus and freight train collide near Channel Tunnel, 19 injured). That earlier crash prompted the deployment of ambulances, a helicopter and police, and a press briefing was scheduled for 10:15 p.m. on the day of the incident.
Key facts
- A minibus collided with a departing LeShuttle freight train at the Eurotunnel loading platform in Coquelles. (standard.co.uk)
- Nineteen people, including the driver, were injured. (standard.co.uk)
- Two injured were taken to the Hospital Centre University De Lille; others to hospitals in Boulogne, Dunkirk and Rang‑Du‑Fliers. (standard.co.uk)
- Agathe Cury, sub‑prefect for Pas‑de‑Calais, attended the scene and briefed reporters. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk
- [2] standard.co.uk
