19 injured after Channel Tunnel collision between bus and train on French side

Nineteen people have been injured after a collision between a bus and a train on the French side of the Channel Tunnel.

The collision between the minibus and freight train happened on Thursday evening, French authorities said, adding that none of the injuries were life-threatening.

The minibus was heading towards the tunnel entrance when it veered off course and hit the side of a departing train, the regional administration said in a statement.

According to reports in France, the minibus was carrying 19 people, including the driver.

Two of those are in serious condition, while 17 others sustained minor injuries.

The bus was carrying truck drivers who were about to board a LeShuttle service.

Local officials said the cause of the accident, which took place in Coquelles in northern France, has yet to be determined. An investigation is under way.

Ambulances, firefighters, police and helicopters were scrambled to the scene.

Getlink, which operates the Channel Tunnel, said 100 Eurotunnel employees were also involved in the response.

As it happened: 19 injured after collision between bus and train

The injured were men of multiple nationalities and were all on board the bus, a local official said.

They added that it was the first time that an accident of "this type" had occurred on a Eurotunnel loading platform.

An image of the scene in French media shows the bus heavily damaged, with police and medics crowding around the scene.

Agathe Cury, the subprefect for the Pas-de-Calais region, attended the scene on Thursday night.

She told reporters two of the injured were taken to the Hospital Centre University De Lille to receive "appropriate care", while the others were taken to hospitals in Boulogne, Dunkirk, and Rang-Du-Fliers for "check-ups".

She said: "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."

A judicial investigation has been launched into the circumstances, Ms Cury added.

More from Sky News:
Mother of Henry Nowak's killer will be freed early
Yorkshire Wildlife Park to reopen after man killed by tiger

The vehicle shuttle service through the tunnel was suspended for 90 minutes before gradually resuming by late evening, authorities said. Eurostar passenger trains and freight services continued as usual.

The rail operator said in a status update: "This incident does not involve or impact Eurostar trains running from and to London.

"All of Eurostar trains will run as expected."

It added the collision "occurred several kilometres away from the Channel Tunnel".

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office (FCDO) said: "We are following reports of a collision on the French side of the Eurotunnel.

"Our thoughts are with all those impacted.

"We stand ready to provide consular assistance to any British nationals involved."

It is unclear whether any British nationals are among the injured.

The tunnel, which opened in 1994, carried 3.4 million vehicles last year, as well as millions of Eurostar passengers.

(c) Sky News 2026: 19 injured after Channel Tunnel collision between bus and train on French side