Fatal Collision Between High-Speed Train and Military Lorry
A train driver lost his life after a high-speed passenger train collided with a lorry transporting military equipment at a level crossing in France.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning between Béthune and Lens, located in the north-western Pas-de-Calais region.
Casualties and Injuries Reported
Reports indicate that two individuals were critically injured, while 11 others sustained minor injuries, according to French media sources.
Official Reactions and Statements
Xavier Bertrand, President of the Pas-de-Calais region, confirmed the death of the TGV driver and characterized the event as a "terrible tragedy."
"My thoughts are with his family, his loved ones and all the staff at who are mourning his loss," he wrote on X.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced that he was en route to the accident site alongside the head of France's state-owned rail operator SNCF.
Tabarot specified that the collision involved a heavy goods vehicle, while news outlet Franceinfo reported that the truck was carrying military equipment.
The incident reportedly took place shortly before 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT), citing a local official.
Train Route and Service Disruptions
The train had been traveling from Dunkirk to Paris at the time of the collision.
The regional rail network, TER Hauts-de-France, stated that rail traffic between Béthune and Lens would be disrupted until mid-morning, with services on certain lines resuming gradually thereafter.
Responses from SNCF and Rail Unions
The BBC has reached out to SNCF for comment.
SNCF Chief Executive Officer Jean Castex, who previously served as France's prime minister from July 2020 to May 2022, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the accident.
Rail union SUD-Rail has called for "total transparency" concerning the circumstances of the incident.
Context of Level Crossing Collisions in France
This accident occurred less than two weeks after a fatal collision between a regional train and a truck in the south-eastern Var region.
While collisions at level crossings in France are relatively rare, they are more frequent than in the United Kingdom.
Official statistics show that in 2024, France recorded 89 such incidents resulting in 20 deaths, compared to six incidents in the UK.
Additionally, more than 100 collisions were recorded annually in France during 2021, 2022, and 2023.
