Nineteen injured after bus collides with Eurotunnel train

Nineteen people were injured when a minibus collided with a freight train at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel near Calais, French authorities have said.

The cause of the accident, which took place in Coquelles last night, has yet to be determined, local authorities added.

It appears the minibus, which was transporting 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.

"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."

Attending the scene, Agathe Cury, the subprefect for the Pas-de-Calais region, told reporters: "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 - but the shock and the collision caused injuries to the people involved."

Ms Cury 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 said.

"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.

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."