Nineteen people have been injured after a minibus was involved in a collision with a freight train at the Eurotunnel site in Pas-de-Calais, officials have said.
The incident unfolded at around 8pm in Coquelles, sparking a major emergency response with several fire engines, ambulances and a helicopter at the scene.
Those injured were all on the bus, which was carrying HGV drivers towards a Eurotunnel loading platform – the driver of the bus is thought to be one of those hurt in the incident.
Officials have said none of the injuries are life-threatening.
The Pas-de-Calais prefecture said in a statement: “An accident involving a minibus transporting heavy goods vehicle drivers who were about to board a Le Shuttle shuttle occurred this evening, at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel site.
“Significant resources were immediately mobilised by Eurotunnel, then under the authority of the prefect of Pas-de-Calais.
“The initial report indicates 19 people involved, including the driver. No deaths are to be reported at this stage and no lives are in danger.
“The sub-prefect of Calais is currently on site. An initial situation update will be provided during a press briefing scheduled for 10.15pm.”
Local reports claim that two of those who were injured have been assessed as critical and have both been taken to hospital in Lille.
A photograph published by local news outlet La Voix du Nord showed a badly damaged minibus on the platform, with police officers and staff in high-visibility jackets present at the scene.
The image also appeared to show injured people, who had been pixelated, receiving treatment on the platform.
Eurostar said the incident is not expected to impact its 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.”
The Channel Tunnel opened in 1994 and connects Folkestone in the United Kingdom with Coquelles in northern France.
It’s the only fixed link between Great Britain and the European mainland is the longest underwater section of any tunnel in the world, measuring more than 23 miles.
It runs the Eurostar train service, which carried 20 million passengers in 2025, and freight trains that move tens of millions of tonnes of goods each year.
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