A routine evening journey through Normandy turned into chaos when a passenger train derailed in northwest France, injuring 44 people — including one teenager who was left in critical condition — as investigators focused on suspected sabotage.
A piece of rail was discovered on the track, and a police source said the possibility of a malicious act was now being treated as the central avenue of inquiry.
The train, carrying 186 passengers, was travelling between the Normandy cities of Rouen and Caen when it came off the rails at about 7:45 pm (6.45pm Irish time) near Renault’s factory in the town of Cleon.
In response, authorities triggered a mass-casualty plan, mobilising 130 firefighters, five medical teams and 80 vehicles.
By this morning, a large contingent of railway staff could be seen working around the derailed train.
Rouen prosecutor Sebastien Gallois said 44 people were hurt, including an 18-year-old woman who was evacuated “in a critical condition”. He added that tests on the train driver for drugs and alcohol had returned negative results.
One passenger, Louis, 24, described the frightening moments before the derailment in an interview with ICI Normandie radio.
“Suddenly there were a few jolts, and then after about three seconds it got stronger and stronger,” he said.
“I couldn’t stay in my seat any more,” he added. “The windows partially shattered, the stones from the track came into the carriage. It was really shocking. I’m still shaking.”
Those who were not injured were brought to a room provided by Cleon’s mayor, officials said.
‘Major disruptions’
SNCF Reseau, which manages France’s rail network, said traffic on the line was suspended and electricity to the tracks was cut so emergency services could work safely.
The company said the derailment caused “major disruptions” to trains running between Rouen and Caen, as well as between Caen and Le Havre, in both directions.
An SNCF Reseau spokesperson said this morning that services had resumed.
SNCF Voyageurs said a replacement bus service had been put in place on the Rouen-Caen route, which typically operates 10 return services each day and six at weekends.
According to the spokesperson, the train will not be removed from the line until the public prosecutor gives approval, as investigators continue to work to determine what caused the derailment.
SNCF said it would provide “full cooperation in complete transparency” to the inquiry.
