A high-speed train collided with a truck on Tuesday morning, 7 April, on a level crossing in the North of France. Reportedly, the truck was part of a special military convoy. The train driver is reported to have been killed and 27 passengers injured, according to several sources.
The collision happened Near Noeux-les-Mines, not far from Lille. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said on social media “an accident involving a lorry and a TGV InOui occurred this morning between Béthune and Lens”, and that he is heading to the scene with the Chief Executive of SNCF, Jean Castex.
Fabien Villedieu, Federal secretary of SUD Rail and an SNCF train driver on line D, posted on social media that the TGV driver has died. He reports the TGV collided with a “military special convoy”, saying this is “the second special convoy in a week to become stuck at a level crossing”.
France Blue also reports the train driver has been killed, citing rescue workers. A spokesperson for the prefecture told the French news site that 27 other people were injured in the accident. According to BFMTV, the train collided with a convoy of military vehicles, it learned from the rescue services.
📍Photos du TGV qui a percuté ce matin a un PN( HDF) un convoi exceptionnel de l armée.
📍Le conducteur de TGV est décédé, RIP.
📍Il y a également des voyageurs blessés mais visiblement sans gravité.
📍C est en 1 semaine le deuxième convoi exceptionnel qui reste bloqué a un PN pic.twitter.com/e5NAHNJkwM— Fabien Villedieu (@VilledieuFabien) April 7, 2026
Services between the nearby towns of Béthune and Lens have been suspended until at least the end of the day, reports the regional transport operator TER Hauts-de-France on social media. Delays are also affecting other routes.