A TGV from Dunkerque to Paris-Nord struck a heavy truck Tuesday morning at a level crossing in Bully-les-Mines, Pas-de-Calais, killing the train driver, Claudio D., 56. Fifteen passengers were injured, and the truck driver was taken into custody. SNCF CEO Jean Castex said the level crossing was functioning normally.
TGV 7304 carrying 246 passengers struck a civilian exceptional convoy transporting military equipment – an army pontoon bridge from the 6th Engineer Regiment – around 7 a.m. at a level crossing in Bully-les-Mines. The train was traveling at 160 km/h and covered several hundred meters before stopping. The driver, Claudio D., 56, married with four children, died on impact. He was an experienced SNCF professional with nearly 30 years of service.
Fifteen injuries were reported, including two initially in absolute emergency, but their lives are no longer in danger. Over 80 firefighters, Samu staff, police, and civil protection agents were mobilized. Prefect François-Xavier Lauch described a brutal shock with explosion and flames, per passenger Senator Amel Dahou Gacquerre.
The truck driver, a lone civilian, was placed in custody. An investigation for «involuntary homicide by deliberate endangerment of others» and «involuntary injuries» was opened by Béthune prosecutor Étienne Thieffry. Jean Castex praised the controllers' «level-headedness» and stated: «The level crossing was in normal working order».
This tragedy, the third similar incident in three weeks, raises questions about France's 15,000 level crossings, where over 100 collisions cause about 20 deaths annually, 98% due to road users. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot visited the site. Traffic remains disrupted between Béthune and Lens.
