Strasbourg Tram Collision: 68 Injured in Rare Accident
The Accident
On Saturday afternoon, a rare accident occurred in Strasbourg, France, when two trams collided near the city’s main train station. A stationary tram was violently hit by another tram, which had begun to move backwards for unknown reasons. The moving tram, which had stopped due to a traffic jam, reversed and rolled down a slope leading to the station.
Casualties and Damage
The collision resulted in 68 people being injured, according to the prefecture, which released an updated toll Sunday. Around a hundred people escaped unharmed. Both trams carried dozens of passengers. The accident occurred near Strasbourg’s main train station, one of the busiest in France outside of Paris.
Eyewitness Accounts
Romaric Koumba, one of the passengers, described the incident, saying, "The tram set off again at full speed towards the station. As we were setting off again towards the station, we realised that there was already another tram that had returned to the station. This tram was at a standstill, thank God. When the tram collided with the other one, the doors flew off."
Johan Kirschenbaum, another witness, said the moving train apparently had a problem with the brakes, stating, "We heard a big impact, a big bang."
Driver Reactions
The two drivers were not injured but were "very shocked," said Emmanuel Auneau, director of the Strasbourg transport company (CTS).
Investigation and Aftermath
The public prosecutor’s office said an investigation into "unintentional injuries" had been opened, with the aim of determining the cause of the accident and identifying any criminal liability. Prosecutors said the collision was not deliberate.
The tram traffic at the railway station has been suspended for several days, the company said. Julien Joly, a transport and mobility expert at the consulting firm Wavestone, said collisions between trams were rare. "The accident occurred in the worst place on the network, in a tunnel and in a very dense area," he added. However, Joly reassured commuters that trams remain "a safe mode of transport."
Background and Previous Accidents
Strasbourg was the first major French city to re-introduce trams in 1994, after the service was closed in 1960. The city saw a similar accident in 1998 when one tram collided with another in the same tunnel, wounding 17 people.
Conclusion
The collision of two trams in Strasbourg has left 68 people injured and raised concerns about the safety of tram services. While rare, such accidents can have serious consequences. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident and ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What caused the tram collision in Strasbourg?
A: The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it is believed that the moving tram had a problem with its brakes.
Q: How many people were injured in the accident?
A: According to the prefecture, 68 people were injured in the accident.
Q: Were there any fatalities in the accident?
A: No, there were no fatalities reported in the accident.
Q: Will tram traffic be suspended in Strasbourg?
A: Yes, tram traffic at the railway station has been suspended for several days.
Q: Is this the first accident of its kind in Strasbourg?
A: No, the city saw a similar accident in 1998 when one tram collided with another in the same tunnel, wounding 17 people.