Nineteen injured after train and coach collide in northern France

On October 15, 2026, a minibus carrying heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers collided with a stationary train at the loading platform near the entrance to the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles, France, injuring 19 people. Two individuals suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were hospitalized, while the rest had minor injuries. The accident occurred around 7:27 PM GMT (8:27 PM local time) when the bus veered off course and hit the side of a train. Emergency services responded quickly, deploying ambulances, fire engines, and a helicopter to assist at the scene.

The incident caused brief disruption to Eurotunnel shuttle traffic for about 90 minutes but did not affect Eurostar passenger trains or freight services through the tunnel. Local officials confirmed that no lives were endangered by the collision, which involved 200 emergency responders and other personnel on-site. The cause of the crash remains under investigation; it appears the minibus was heading to its dedicated space inside a shuttle train when it struck another departing train at the platform.

Local sub-prefect Agathe Cury stated that the injured victims were of multiple nationalities, and relevant consulates have been notified. Photos from local news outlets show extensive damage to the front and side of the minibus, with emergency workers present on the platform providing immediate treatment. The exact reason for the bus's collision remains unclear at this time.