At least 19 people have been injured after a minibus collided with a train at a loading platform for the Channel Tunnel in France, the local prefect's office said.
None of the injuries were life-threatening, the prefecture said in a statement, adding that ambulances, a helicopter and police were at the scene.
The accident involved a minibus carrying truck drivers who were preparing to board the Le Shuttle service on the loading platform at the Eurotunnel site, the prefecture said in a later statement.
The statement from the Pas-de-Calais prefect read: “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 mobilized 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.”
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.
Incident took place at 7.27pm
The collision between a mini bus and a freight near the Channel Tunnel took place around 7.27pm, officials have said - or around 6.27pm UK time.
Number of critically injured revised to two - report
Two people are critically injured after a mini bus crashed into a freight train near the Channel Tunnel, it has been reported.
They have been airlifted to a hospital in Lille, according to local news outlets.
The remaining 17, were taking to hospitals in Helfaut, Calais, Boulogne, Montreuil-sur-Mer and Dunkirk. None of them are in critical condition.
55 firefighters and 25 emergency service personnel took part in rescue efforts - report
Major rescue efforts were launched after a mini bus collided with a freight train, local media has reported.
At least 55 firefighters were mobilised, along with 25 emergency service personnel, approximately 20 police officers and 100 Eurotunnel staff, according to La Voix du Nord.
Those injured were all on the minibus
At least 19 people were injured in the Channel Tunnel collision.
Those hurt were all on the bus, which was carrying HGV drivers towards a Eurotunnel loading platform.
Five of the 19 injured in 'critical condition'
Five people were initially described as being in a “critical condition” while the 14 others were less seriously hurt, local media has reported.
Eurostar trains unaffected
Eurostar has said its services are unaffected as an incident occurred near the Channel Tunnel.
“An incident occurred several kilometers away from the Channel Tunnel. This incident does not involved or impact Eurostar trains running from and to London. All of Eurostar trains will run as expected.”
Full statement from the French Authorities
The French authorities have issued a statement about the incident:
“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 mobilized 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 10:15 pm.”
Where did the Channel Tunnel crash take place?
A freight train and a coach collided near the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles, near the entrance of the freight tunnel linking France to Britain.
19 injured in Channel tunnel crash as ambulances and police at the scene
At least 19 people were injured on Thursday evening after a freight train and a coach collided near the Channel Tunnel in northern France, the local prefect's office said.
None of the injuries were life-threatening, the prefecture said in a statement, adding that ambulances, a helicopter and police were at the scene.