Authorities reported that at least 44 individuals were injured after a passenger train derailed in the Normandy region of northern France. Among the casualties, an 18-year-old woman was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition, while the remaining injuries were assessed as less severe.
The incident occurred shortly before 20:00 local time on Friday evening near Cléon, located south of Rouen. The train was en route between Rouen and Caen with 186 passengers on board. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed that 140 firefighters and other emergency responders were dispatched to manage the scene.
Local officials activated a mass-casualty response plan immediately following the crash. While the official cause remains undetermined, French media outlets have speculated that the derailment may have been the result of sabotage. Government authorities have declined to comment on these reports.
Survivors described a terrifying experience as the train began to shake violently. Louis, a passenger on board, told ICI Normandie radio that the jolts intensified over several seconds, causing windows to partially shatter and debris from the tracks to enter the carriage. “It was really shocking. I’m still shaking,” he said.
Images circulated in the media showed passengers evacuating the wreckage, revealing that three carriages had overturned.
Commute safety is so important. Please check on the railway infrastructure regularly.
I remember this line from university days. Glad emergency services responded so quickly.
Sabotage? That would be horrifying. Hopefully it’s just a mechanical failure.
Forty-four injured is a terrifying number. I hope the critically hurt teenager pulls through.