One Dead as High-Speed Train Collides with Lorry in France

Collision Details

A TGV driver lost his life when his high-speed passenger train collided with a lorry carrying military equipment at a level crossing in northern France. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning between Béthune and Lens, in the Pas-de-Calais region. French media reports indicate that two individuals were critically injured, while 11 others sustained minor wounds.

Officials Respond

The regional president of Pas-de-Calais, Xavier Bertrand, confirmed the driver’s death and labeled the event a “terrible tragedy.” In a statement on X, he expressed condolences to the driver’s family and colleagues. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot and the head of SNCF, the state-owned rail operator, are en route to the scene to assess the situation.

“My thoughts are with his family, his loved ones and all the staff at who are mourning his loss,” Bertrand wrote.

Cause of Incident

While Tabarot described the collision as involving a heavy goods vehicle, Franceinfo reported it was a truck transporting military cargo. The accident took place shortly before 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT), according to a local official. The train was traveling from Dunkirk to Paris at the time.

Service Disruptions

The regional rail network, TER Hauts-de-France, announced that traffic between Béthune and Lens would be affected until mid-morning. Services on select routes are expected to resume gradually. The BBC has reached out to SNCF for further details.

Union Calls for Transparency

Rail union SUD-Rail urged “total transparency” in investigating the accident. This incident follows another fatal collision in the Var region a fortnight prior, where a regional train struck a truck. Collisions at level crossings are uncommon in France but occur more frequently than in the UK.

Historical Context

Official data shows 89 such incidents in France in 2024, resulting in 20 fatalities. Between 2021 and 2023, over 100 collisions were recorded annually, underscoring the ongoing safety concerns. SNCF CEO Jean Castex, who previously served as France’s prime minister, has not yet made public remarks.