In Coquelles, a minibus hits a train at a stop: 19 injured on the Eurotunnel terminal

A minibus hit a train at a stop on Thursday 15 October 2026, around 7.30 p.m., at the Eurotunnel terminal in Coquelles, near Calais. The record shows 19 injuries, including the driver and 18 passengers. No life-threatening deaths or prognosis were reported by the prefecture of Pas-de-Calais in the evening information. Franceinfo, La Voix du Nord and Reuters report the same event. [S1] [S21] [S22]

A collision on the dock, not in the underwater tunnel

The minibus was carrying truck drivers who were about to board a LeShuttle shuttle. According to the prefecture, quoted by franceinfo, he finished his race against the flank of a stationary train at the loading dock. The accident occurred on the facilities of the French terminal, not in the underwater part of the tunnel, despite the formulation of certain titles. [S1] [S4]

The first descriptions have evolved: The Voice of the North states that the initial information referred to two moving vehicles, before the train was established. Agathe Cury, provided by BFMTV, also indicated that the minibus had not returned. The circumstances that drove the vehicle against the train remain unknown. [S21] [S9] [S1]

Two injured still in absolute emergency at the end of the evening

The number of injuries classified as absolute emergency was reassessed during the evening. A first review relayed by franceinfo and 20 Minutes mentioned five. The Voice of the North then reports two people remaining in this category, after re-evaluations at 9:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. This is a change in the medical record, not a change in the total number of injured. [S1] [S5] [S21]

Two people were transported in an emergency to Lille. According to the sub-prefect, quoted by franceinfo, the other 17 occupants were evacuated to the surrounding hospitals, notably in Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer. The absence of a committed life-saving prognosis announced by the authorities therefore does not mean that all injuries are mild. [S1] [S21]

The relief operations involved 55 firefighters, 25 SMUR personnel, some 20 border police and about 100 Eurotunnel officers. Psychological follow-up in hospitals was announced for the injured. As they were of different nationalities, their consulates were informed, the sub-prefect said. [S21] [S1]

LeShuttle interrupted, Eurostar announced without consequence

The LeShuttle passenger traffic was suspended for about an hour and a half to allow emergency response. At the press briefing at around 10:30 p.m., Agathe Cury announced a return to normal. Cargo traffic was not interrupted, according to the evening reports. This suspension shall not be confused with a stop on all trains using the tunnel. [S9] [S4] [S3]

Eurostar indicated that none of its trains were involved and that the accident had no impact on its connections from and to London, according to the press release taken from Le Temps and La Voix du Nord. Liberation, however, mentions the abolition of the last two departures from Paris Gare du Nord and London St Pancras. The available evidence does not resolve this discrepancy or attribute these deletions to the collision. [S4] [S21] [S13]

An investigation to establish accountability

An investigation for involuntary injuries has been opened, according to the prosecutor of Boulogne-sur-Mer, quoted by East Republican and Time. The driver of the minibus, himself injured, is a Eurotunnel agent, the sub-prefect said. This information alone does not allow it to be blamed or to conclude that the operator is liable. [S3] [S4]

The cause of the shock remains the main unresolved point. The available information describes the location, the persons transported and the care, but does not establish why the minibus hit the train. The opening of the investigation must therefore be distinguished from any conclusion on individual responsibilities or on the organization of transport on the terminal. [S1] [S3] [S22]