In a rare accident on Saturday, two trams collided in a tunnel near the bustling main train station of Strasbourg, injuring dozens of passengers, officials said. It happened around 4:00 p.m., causing panic in the vicinity as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Accident Details and Casualties
According to French authorities, the incident left between 36 to 50 people injured, with varying degrees of severity. Strasbourg’s Minister of Transport, Philippe Tabarot, estimated the injuries to be around 36, while local firefighters provided a higher figure, stating that approximately 50 people were hurt.
Witnesses shared unsettling footage on social media showing the aftermath of the collision. The trams, which appeared severely damaged in the tunnel, had one derailed due to the impact. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collision, and an investigation has been launched by the public prosecutor’s office.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
#BREAKING : 30+ people are injured after 2 trams collided in Strasbourg, France. The impact must’ve been devastating 💔 pic.twitter.com/DaV8wZv6kI
— Adjusted55 (@BillPrinter00) January 11, 2025
Immediate Response and Medical Assistance
A large security perimeter was established around Strasbourg’s main train station, one of the busiest outside of Paris, to facilitate emergency services. Ambulances were stationed nearby, and paramedics quickly attended to the injured. Some victims were treated on stretchers, while others received first aid under the station’s glass roof.
Despite the severity of the accident, Strasbourg’s Mayor Jeanne Barseghian confirmed there were no fatalities or critical injuries. Several victims were reported to have been in a state of shock, particularly those who experienced the “head-on” impact.
Disruption and Potential Causes
The incident occurred amidst ongoing disruptions in the city, as demonstrations in central Strasbourg had affected tram traffic. The traffic jam resulted in trams being reorganized and placed on standby, which could have potentially played a role in the accident.
Patrick Maciejewski, Chairman of Strasbourg’s transport company, CTS, explained that this accident was unusual for the city’s tram network, which had been free from major incidents since trams were reintroduced in 1994.
Previous Incidents and Safety Concerns
Experts highlighted that while such a collision was rare, it occurred in one of the city’s densest and most critical locations – a tunnel near the station. Transport and mobility consultant Julien Joly emphasized that trams in Strasbourg travel at low speeds in urban areas, typically around 30 km/h, which makes such incidents extremely uncommon.
Strasbourg, a historic city in the Alsace region, had a similar incident in 1998 when a tram collision resulted in 17 injuries, raising concerns over the safety of the city’s tram system.
City Reels from the Impact
Local authorities, including Mayor Barseghian, rushed to the site of the accident to oversee the response. Rene Cellier, director of the Bas-Rhin fire and rescue service, confirmed that injuries sustained by passengers were generally non-fatal, such as scalp wounds, clavicle fractures, and sprains. At least 100 others were checked by doctors but did not sustain significant injuries.
As Strasbourg begins to recover from this traumatic event, authorities are working on uncovering the exact cause of the collision and ensuring that necessary measures are taken to prevent further accidents.
A Safe Mode of Transport in Question
While the collision was rare, experts urge residents and commuters to remain reassured about the safety of the tram system. Despite this incident, trams remain one of the safest modes of public transport, especially in a city that has become a model for reintroducing trams in urban areas. The investigation will shed more light on the exact cause, but for now, Strasbourg’s tram system remains operational with heightened safety measures in place.
