19 Injured After Minibus Slams Into Train at Channel Tunnel Terminal in France — Two Victims Airlifted to Hospital

A serious collision at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel left 19 people injured after a minibus crashed into a train at a busy transport terminal in northern France. The incident unfolded on Thursday evening, October 15, at the Eurotunnel site in Coquelles, near Calais, triggering a major emergency response involving firefighters, police officers, ambulances and a rescue helicopter. Although two people suffered more serious injuries, authorities said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

The minibus was reportedly transporting truck drivers who were preparing to board a Le Shuttle service, which carries vehicles through the tunnel beneath the English Channel between France and Britain. At approximately 7:30 p.m. local time, the vehicle collided with a stationary train at the terminal’s loading area. The circumstances leading up to the crash remain unclear, and investigators are working to establish precisely what went wrong.

All 19 people aboard the minibus, including the driver, were reported injured. Emergency crews rushed to assist those involved, assessing their conditions and arranging transport to nearby medical facilities. Two of the injured were in serious condition and were airlifted to a hospital in Lille for treatment. The remaining casualties were taken to hospitals in the surrounding region, including Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Dunkirk and Rang-du-Fliers.

The scale of the emergency response reflected the seriousness of the collision. Firefighters, medical teams and police officers converged on the terminal, while a helicopter was deployed to help transport the more seriously injured victims. Authorities worked to secure the scene and ensure that those requiring urgent medical attention received assistance as quickly as possible.

According to local officials, the crash occurred between two Le Shuttle trains, with one being loaded and another preparing to depart. The incident prompted a temporary suspension of vehicle shuttle services while emergency teams responded and the affected area was assessed. Services reportedly resumed after an interruption of approximately 90 minutes. Eurostar, which operates passenger trains between London and continental Europe, said its services were not affected by the collision.

The accident has drawn attention to the complex operations involved in transporting vehicles through one of Europe’s most important transport links. The Channel Tunnel connects Britain and France beneath the sea and handles substantial volumes of passenger and freight traffic. While the collision occurred at the French terminal rather than deep inside the underwater tunnel, the incident required a coordinated response to protect passengers, workers and other people using the facility.

Investigators have yet to establish the cause of the crash, and authorities have not indicated whether mechanical problems, a driving error or another factor contributed to the collision. The focus remains on determining how the minibus struck the train and whether any safety measures need to be reviewed. Officials are also working to clarify the circumstances surrounding the injuries sustained by those aboard the vehicle.

Thankfully, no deaths were reported in the incident. However, with 19 people injured and two requiring air transport to hospital, the crash served as a stark reminder of how quickly a routine journey can turn into a major emergency. As investigators continue examining the scene and gathering evidence, further details are expected to emerge about what happened at the Channel Tunnel terminal that evening.

Source: PEOPLE