A minimum of 30 folks have been injured after two trams collided at Strasbourg’s central station on Saturday, authorities stated.
Movies and images posted on social media confirmed two trams containing dozens of individuals inside. One video exhibits 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 experiences stated one tram was reversing on the time.
A spokesman for the prefecture stated an investigation into the reason for the accident has been opened and no fatalities have been confirmed.
Strasbourg’s mayor Jeanne Barseghian advised reporters on the scene there had been a collision involving a tram, however the trigger was not recognized.
In response to BFM TV, Barseghian known as on folks to attend for the outcomes of the investigation.
One eyewitness named Johan advised AFP information company that he noticed one of many trams reversing at pace, including: “We heard a huge impact, an enormous bang.”
One other eyewitness advised BFM TV that the doorways of the tram flew off on affect.
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 world to permit emergency providers to entry the world.
The service’s director Rene Cellier stated a number of the non-fatal accidents reported have been “principally trauma”, but in addition embrace 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 docs,” Cellier stated.
He added that round 50 automobiles and 130 firefighters have been dispatched to the scene and that the state of affairs “may have been rather more severe”.
Emmanuel Auneau, the director of the CTS – which is chargeable for managing public transport in Strasbourg – stated the 2 tram drivers have been “not bodily injured, however are very shocked”.
