A train driver was killed in northern France on Tuesday morning when a high-speed train collided with a truck carrying military equipment. The Operative Information Center-OMM, citing foreign media, reports that 16 people were injured in the incident, with two of them currently in critical condition.
According to official statements, more than 200 passengers were on board the train at the time of the collision. The state-owned railway company SNCF noted that the accident occurred at approximately 07:00 local time near the town of Bully-les-Mines. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed on the X social media platform that the crash took place in the Pas-de-Calais region, specifically between the city of Lens and the town of Béthune. The minister emphasized that he is traveling to the scene and remains in constant contact with SNCF leadership.
The regional railway operator TER has announced that traffic on the Béthune-Lens line will remain suspended until the end of the day. While two individuals remain in critical condition, a trade union official stated that the injuries sustained by the majority of the passengers are not life-threatening. Such incidents involving heavy transport and high-speed rail often lead to significant disruptions in the French transport network, which is one of the busiest in Europe. Investigations are currently underway to determine why the military vehicle was on the tracks at the time of the high-speed train's passage.
