What happened
A freight train struck a bus at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel in Pas-de-Calais, northern France, on the evening of 15 October 2026. Blick reported that the crash happened around 20:00 local time, and that a minibus carrying passengers had tipped over at a level crossing near the tunnel entrance before the freight train hit it. The Pas-de-Calais prefecture put the number of injured at 19, including the bus driver. French media reported that the bus was carrying construction workers.
Condition of the injured
According to the prefecture, five people were initially placed in 'urgence absolue', and officials expected them to be downgraded to 'urgence relative'. No one's life is in danger. Other outlets reported 18 injured rather than 19, and De Morgen, citing TF1, said the victims mainly suffered head and leg injuries.
Rail disruption and response
Eurostar train services between France and the United Kingdom have been fully suspended in both directions through the tunnel. Emergency services, including the SAMU, a helicopter from the SMUR emergency unit and the fire service, are at the scene. Calais sub-prefect Agathe Cury is scheduled to address the media at 22:15 local time, when authorities are expected to give a fuller account of the crash.