France: 30 injured after Strasbourg tram collision

At least 30 people were injured when two trams collided at Strasbourg’s central station in France on Saturday, according to authorities.

Videos and photos shared on social media depicted chaotic scenes, with dozens of passengers trapped inside the trams. In one clip, smoke could be seen rising from the collision site, accompanied by an alarm sound.

Local media reported conflicting details about the crash. While some accounts suggested a tram had switched tracks and collided with a stationary one, others indicated that one tram was reversing when the accident occurred.

A spokesman for the prefecture confirmed an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collision. “No fatalities have been confirmed,” the spokesman said.

Strasbourg’s mayor, Jeanne Barseghian, addressed reporters at the scene, describing the incident as a “tram collision,” but added that the cause remained unknown. She urged patience, saying, “It’s important to wait for the results of the investigation,” as reported by BFM TV.

Eyewitness accounts shed further light on the dramatic event. Johan, speaking to AFP news agency, described seeing one tram reversing at high speed. “We heard a big impact, a big bang,” he said. Another witness told BFM TV that the tram doors flew off during the collision.

Emergency services swiftly cordoned off the area in front of the station. The Bas-Rhin region’s Fire and Rescue Service issued a statement on X, urging people to avoid the scene to allow emergency teams better access.

The service’s director, Rene Cellier, said the injuries were “mostly trauma,” including scalp wounds, clavicle fractures, and knee sprains.

“There are also around 100 people who have no particular injuries but are being seen by the doctors,” he noted. Cellier added that approximately 50 vehicles and 130 firefighters responded to the incident, saying the outcome “could have been much more serious.”

Emmanuel Auneau, director of the CTS, the public transport authority in Strasbourg, revealed that the two tram drivers involved were uninjured but “very shocked” by the collision.

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