Firefighters’ and rescue automobiles are stationed outdoors 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 mentioned.
The collision occurred close to Strasbourg’s major practice station, one of many busiest in France outdoors Paris.
Minister of Transport Philippe Tabarot mentioned “in all probability round 36” individuals 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 because 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 mentioned.
A big safety perimeter was arrange in entrance of the station, the place ambulances took up place, in response to an AFP journalist on the scene.
Paramedics and firefighters loaded injured individuals secured on stretchers into ambulances. Different victims acquired first support 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.
Because the 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,” mentioned Barseghian.
“There have been plenty of individuals on the trams,” she mentioned, including that there have been no fatalities or individuals in “absolute urgency”.
A few of the injured have been in a state of shock because 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), mentioned that there had been demonstrations in central Strasbourg, which had disrupted tram site visitors.
“Plenty of trams needed to be reorganised and placed on standby. There was a site visitors jam,” he mentioned.
Rene Cellier, director of the Bas-Rhin fireplace and rescue service, mentioned round 50 individuals had suffered non-fatal accidents similar to scalp wounds, clavicle fractures, and knee sprains.
“Largely trauma,” mentioned Cellier.
“There are additionally round 100 individuals who haven’t any specific accidents however are being seen by the medical doctors,” he added.
‘Large bang’
Johan, a witness who declined to provide his final identify, mentioned that one of many trams reversed at full velocity.
“There was an issue with the brakes,” he instructed 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, mentioned Julien Joly, a transport and mobility skilled at Wavestone consulting agency.
However such a collision was “uncommon”, Joly mentioned, 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 individuals.
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Situated within the historic area of Alsace, town is the official seat of the European Parliament.
