A high-speed train collided with a truck carrying a military vehicle on Tuesday, April 7, in northern France, killing the train driver instantly.
The train was traveling from Dunkirk to Paris with 243 people on board. It struck the vehicle at a level crossing in the town of Bully-les-Mines.
Officials confirmed that two people were seriously injured, while several others sustained minor injuries.
Train Crash in Northern France Leaves Driver Dead
The impact of the collision was severe. The military vehicle, reportedly weighing "several dozen metric tons," was thrown approximately 10 meters from the crossing before being recovered near a private garden.
Local prosecutor Etienne Thieffry confirmed that the 56-year-old train driver "died instantly" upon impact. He was later described as an "experienced professional."
Authorities said the two people seriously injured are not believed to be in life-threatening condition. 14 others also suffered less severe injuries.
The crash occurred at 6:48 p.m. local time, with the train estimated to have been traveling at around 160 kilometers per hour at the moment of impact.
Investigation Underway as Truck Driver Arrested
The driver of the truck has since been arrested and placed in police custody. While it remains unclear whether he forced his way onto the level crossing, he is currently being held on suspicion of manslaughter.
"More than 80 firefighters and dozens of police and other personnel were deployed at the crash site, where teams were seen inspecting the mangled nose of the train," French outlet Le Monde wrote.
Laurent Poissant, the mayor of nearby Mazingarbe, said that "fortunately" the train was not traveling at its maximum speed.
The number of fatalities could have been far higher under different circumstances.
The incident adds to a growing list of rail-related accidents in France. According to Le Monde, 89 accidents involving trains and level crossings were recorded in 2024, with 20 proving fatal.
Just weeks earlier, on March 25, a regional train collided with a truck at a level crossing in south-eastern France, killing the 60-year-old train driver.
In November, a high-speed train derailed while traveling between Paris and Strasbourg. The train reportedly took a corner at a faster speed than recommended during a "test."
That incident claimed 11 lives, making it the deadliest high-speed train crash in France.
