Dozens injured in Strasbourg tram collision

At least 30 people were injured after two trams collided at Strasbourg’s central station on Saturday, authorities said.

Videos and photos posted on social media showed two trams with dozens of people inside. A video shows billowing smoke and chaotic scenes as the alarm goes off.

According to the local media, the accident happened after one of the trams changed lanes and collided with a stationary tram. Other reports said a tram was backing up at the time.

The spokesman for the prefecture said that an investigation has been opened to clarify the causes of the accident and that no deaths have been confirmed.

Jeanne Barseghian, the mayor of Strasbourg, told reporters at the scene that the collision was caused by a tram, but the cause was not known.

According to BFM TV, Barseghian asked people to wait for the results of the investigation.

A witness named Johan told the AFP news agency that he saw one of the trams going backwards at speed, adding: “We heard a big impact, a big bang.”

Another witness told BFM television that the tram’s doors flew off as a result of the collision.

As reported by the outlet, a large security perimeter was set up in front of the station.

The Fire and Rescue Service of the Bas-Rhin region posted on X asking people to avoid the area so that emergency services can access the area.

Service director Rene Cellier said the reported non-fatal injuries were “mostly trauma” but also included skin wounds, broken collarbones and sprained knees.

“Also, there are about 100 people who do not have special injuries, but who are being seen by doctors,” said Cellier.

He added that around 50 vehicles and 130 firefighters arrived at the scene and that the situation “could have been much more serious”.

Emmanuel Auneau, director of CTS, which is responsible for managing public transport in Strasbourg, said that the two tram drivers “were not injured, but they are very shocked”.