At the very least 30 folks have been injured after two trams collided at Strasbourg’s central station on Saturday, authorities mentioned.
Movies and images posted on social media confirmed two trams containing dozens of individuals inside. One video reveals smoke rising and chaotic scenes as an alarm sounds.
Native media reported that the crash occurred after one of many trams switched tracks and collided with a stationary tram. Different stories mentioned one tram was reversing on the time.
A spokesman for the prefecture mentioned an investigation into the reason for the accident has been opened and no fatalities have been confirmed.
Strasbourg’s mayor Jeanne Barseghian instructed reporters on the scene there had been a collision involving a tram, however the trigger was not identified.
Based on BFM TV, Barseghian referred to as on folks to attend for the outcomes of the investigation.
One eyewitness named Johan instructed AFP information company that he noticed one of many trams reversing at velocity, including: “We heard a huge impact, a giant bang.”
One other eyewitness instructed BFM TV that the doorways of the tram flew off on impression.
The outlet reported that a big safety perimeter was arrange in entrance of the station.
The Bas-Rhin area’s Fireplace and Rescue Service posted on X urging folks to keep away from the realm to permit emergency providers to entry the realm.
The service’s director Rene Cellier mentioned a number of the non-fatal accidents reported had been “principally trauma”, but additionally embody scalp wounds, clavicle fractures, and knee sprains.
“There are additionally round 100 individuals who don’t have any explicit accidents however are being seen by the medical doctors,” Cellier mentioned.
He added that round 50 automobiles and 130 firefighters had been dispatched to the scene and that the state of affairs “might have been rather more severe”.
Emmanuel Auneau, the director of the CTS – which is chargeable for managing public transport in Strasbourg – mentioned the 2 tram drivers had been “not bodily injured, however are very shocked”.
