At least 19 injured after minibus hits parked freight train on Eurotunnel loading platform

At least 19 people were injured after a minibus collided with a stationary freight train on the Eurotunnel loading platform near the French entrance, authorities said.

The collision happened in Coquelles, near Calais, at 19:27 yesterday. The minibus was carrying truck drivers who were due to board the rail shuttle. The driver and one passenger suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to Lille University Hospital; the remaining 17 people were taken to other hospitals for treatment.

Agat Kiri, deputy prefect of the Pas-de-Calais department, said the injuries were not life-threatening: "there is no danger to anyone's life."

Emergency response and rail disruption

About 200 emergency responders and other staff attended the scene. Train traffic through the Channel Tunnel was halted for roughly 90 minutes before gradually resuming late in the evening.

Local police have opened an investigation. Officials said the minibus struck the train at the moment the freight unit was beginning to move, though the exact cause remained unclear. Photographs from the scene show a minibus with damage to its front and side parked beside the train and surrounded by emergency personnel.

Photo: press material from the event