A minibus transporting truck drivers collided with a vehicle shuttle train at the Channel Tunnel entrance on Thursday, leaving 19 people injured and briefly suspending cross-Channel car transport services, according to French authorities.
The incident occurred as the minibus approached the tunnel portal in Coquelles, near Calais, when it suddenly veered off course and struck the side of the loading train, the Pas-de-Calais prefecture reported.
Two victims sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while 17 others suffered minor injuries; the minibus driver was among those hurt. Approximately 200 emergency personnel responded to the scene. The vehicle shuttle service—known as LeShuttle—was halted for 90 minutes before gradually resuming operations by late evening. Eurostar passenger trains and freight services continued unaffected.
The injured individuals represent multiple nationalities, and their respective consulates have been notified, local official Agathe Cury confirmed to reporters, though she declined to specify the countries involved. All 19 casualties were occupants of the minibus, and all are men.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Cury noted that this marks the first recorded collision at the train loading area since the tunnel opened in 1994. The infrastructure handled 3.4 million vehicles last year alongside millions of Eurostar passengers.
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