The incident occurred on October 15, 2026, at the loading platform of the Channel Tunnel facility in Coquelles, near Calais, according to French authorities. The minibus was transporting heavy goods vehicle drivers who were preparing to board a LeShuttle train, which carries vehicles between France and the United Kingdom through the Channel Tunnel.

The Pas-de-Calais prefecture confirmed that the injured included the minibus driver and 18 passengers. Five people were initially classified as seriously injured, although authorities said none of the injuries was considered life-threatening.

Emergency personnel, including medical teams and police officers, were deployed to the scene to assist the injured and manage the incident.

The circumstances leading to the collision were still being investigated, and authorities had not announced a definitive cause at the time of the initial reports.

The incident also raised questions about possible disruption to cross-Channel transport services. While reports initially indicated that two Eurostar trains had been listed as cancelled, subsequent updates said the collision was not expected to affect Eurostar services between London and continental Europe.

LeShuttle and Eurostar operate different services through the Channel Tunnel. LeShuttle transports vehicles and their occupants, while Eurostar operates passenger trains between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.

The collision occurred on the French side of the tunnel, a major transport link connecting the two countries beneath the English Channel.

French authorities were expected to provide further information during a briefing at the nearby Eurotunnel headquarters as investigations continued.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia