Dozens injured after Strasbourg tram collision

According to authorities, a collision between two trams at Strasbourg Central Station on Saturday resulted in at least 30 injuries. Videos and photos posted on social media show the two trams, carrying dozens of people, colliding. One video shows smoke rising from the scene, with alarms sounding and general chaos.

Local media reports suggest the accident occurred when one tram, while changing tracks, collided with a stationary tram. Other reports indicate that one of the trams was reversing at the time. A local government spokesperson stated that an investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched, and no fatalities have been confirmed at this time.

Strasbourg Mayor Jeanne Barseghian told reporters at the scene that a tram collision did indeed occur, but the specific cause was not yet known. According to BFM TV, Barseghian urged people to wait for the investigation results. A witness named John told AFP that he saw one of the trams reversing at high speed, "We heard a big bang, a 'boom'." Another witness told BFM TV that the impact caused the doors of the tram to fly off.

The media outlet reported that a large security perimeter has been set up in front of the station. The Lower Rhine Fire and Rescue Department posted on X, urging people to avoid the area to allow emergency services access to the scene. The department's head, René Cellier, stated that the reported non-fatal injuries were "mostly external injuries," but also included scalp wounds, collarbone fractures, and knee sprains. "There are also about 100 people who do not have particular injuries, but are being examined by doctors," Cellier said, adding that about 50 vehicles and 130 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, and the situation "could have been much more serious."

Emmanuel Honnert, director of CTS, which manages Strasbourg's public transportation, stated that both tram drivers "were not physically injured, but were both very shaken up."