Firefighters’ and rescue automobiles are stationed exterior the Strasbourg railway station following a collision of two trams, in Strasbourg, japanese France, on January 11, 2025. Agence France-Presse
STRASBOURG — Two trams collided in a tunnel in a uncommon accident within the japanese French metropolis of Strasbourg on Saturday, injuring dozens of individuals, authorities stated.
The collision occurred close to Strasbourg’s essential practice station, one of many busiest in France exterior Paris.
Minister of Transport Philippe Tabarot stated “most likely round 36” folks have been injured within the accident, whereas firefighters put that determine at round 50.
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A video posted by a witness on social media confirmed a chaotic scene with the 2 trams considerably broken in a tunnel close to the station.
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One of many trams appeared to have derailed on account of the impression, whose trigger has but to be established.
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“The general public prosecutor’s workplace opened an investigation,” the prefecture stated.
A big safety perimeter was arrange in entrance of the station, the place ambulances took up place, in accordance with an AFP journalist on the scene.
Paramedics and firefighters loaded injured folks secured on stretchers into ambulances. Different victims obtained first help beneath the station’s glass roof.
READ: Police: 7 killed in London early morning tram derailment
Strasbourg was the primary main French metropolis to re-introduce trams in 1994, after the service closed in 1960.
For the reason that return of the automobiles, there have been no main accidents.
‘Brutal collision’
Strasbourg’s mayor Jeanne Barseghian and different officers rushed to the station.
The accident occurred shortly earlier than 4:00 pm (15:00 GMT).
“What we all know at this stage is that there was a brutal collision between two trams, on the platform, beneath the station,” stated Barseghian.
“There have been quite a lot of folks on the trams,” she stated, including that there have been no fatalities or folks in “absolute urgency”.
Among the injured have been in a state of shock on account of the “head-on” impression which was “comparatively violent”, the mayor added, expressing her help.
Patrick Maciejewski, chairman of the board of administrators of the Strasbourg transport firm (CTS), stated that there had been demonstrations in central Strasbourg, which had disrupted tram visitors.
“Quite a few trams needed to be reorganised and placed on standby. There was a visitors jam,” he stated.
Rene Cellier, director of the Bas-Rhin fireplace and rescue service, stated round 50 folks had suffered non-fatal accidents resembling scalp wounds, clavicle fractures, and knee sprains.
“Principally trauma,” stated Cellier.
“There are additionally round 100 individuals who haven’t any explicit accidents however are being seen by the docs,” he added.
‘Huge bang’
Johan, a witness who declined to provide his final identify, stated that one of many trams reversed at full pace.
“There was an issue with the brakes,” he advised AFP. “We heard a big effect, an enormous bang.”
The accident occurred in “the worst place on the community, in a tunnel and in a really dense space”, given its location in entrance of Strasbourg station, stated Julien Joly, a transport and mobility skilled at Wavestone consulting agency.
However such a collision was “uncommon”, Joly stated, including that commuters could be reassured that trams “stay a secure mode of transport” as they largely journey at 30 km/h when within the metropolis centre.
Strasbourg noticed the same incident in 1998 when one tram collided with one other in the identical tunnel, wounding 17 folks.
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Situated within the historic area of Alsace, town is the official seat of the European Parliament.
