More than 60 injured after Strasbourg trams collide
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Chaos erupts as two trams collide in the heart of eastern France's bustling city center. Credit: Gulf News, Facebook
A collision between two trams at Strasbourg’s central station on Saturday left 68 people injured, with emergency services rushing to the scene to assist those affected. The incident occurred when one tram, which had been stopped, unexpectedly moved backwards down a slope, colliding with another stationary tram. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, but so far, no fatalities have been reported, and prosecutors have confirmed that the crash was not deliberate.
Videos and photos shared on social media captured the chaotic scene, with images showing two trams filled with passengers. One video depicted smoke rising from the collision site, while an alarm could be heard in the background. Eyewitnesses described the crash as loud and shocking. Johan, one such witness, told AFP news agency that he saw one of the trams reversing rapidly. “We heard a big impact, a big bang,” he said. Another witness, speaking to BFM TV, described how the force of the impact caused the tram’s doors to fly off.
In response to the accident, authorities quickly set up a large security perimeter around the station. The Bas-Rhin region’s Fire and Rescue Service posted an urgent message on social media, urging people to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to reach the site. According to Rene Cellier, the director of the service, the injuries were mostly non-life-threatening, including trauma, scalp wounds, clavicle fractures, and knee sprains. There were also approximately 100 people who did not sustain major injuries but were being checked by medical staff.
Cellier explained that around 50 emergency vehicles and 130 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Despite the significant damage and the number of injuries, he emphasized that the situation “could have been much more serious.” Fortunately, the majority of the injuries were not critical.
Emmanuel Auneau, the director of CTS, the company responsible for public transport in Strasbourg, confirmed that the two tram drivers involved in the accident were not physically hurt but were understandably in shock.
The collision has sparked widespread concern, especially considering the number of passengers on board the trams at the time of the incident. Both the local authorities and public transport officials are closely monitoring the aftermath and working to determine the exact cause of the tram’s sudden movement.
Strasbourg’s central station, one of the busiest transit hubs in the region, was temporarily disrupted as a result of the accident. However, efforts to clear the area and resume normal operations are underway, with security and rescue teams continuing to manage the situation.
The investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing, and officials are expected to release further details once they have more information. Authorities have assured the public that safety measures will be reinforced in the wake of the crash to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The accident highlights the need for continued vigilance in ensuring the safety of public transportation systems, particularly in busy urban areas. While the injuries were significant, they could have been much worse, prompting a renewed focus on the safety protocols governing tram operations in Strasbourg and other major cities.
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