A passenger train suffered a significant derailment in northwest France on Friday evening. This France train derailment, occurring between the cities of Rouen and Caen in Normandy, resulted in injuries to dozens of people. Local authorities confirmed the incident took place near Cleon and Tourville-la-Riviere at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time.
At least 44 individuals sustained injuries in the accident. One young woman, specifically, was reported to be in critical condition. Consequently, she received urgent medical evacuation by helicopter to a hospital in Rouen for specialized care. The train was carrying around 180 passengers when the incident occurred.
Authorities believe the train derailed after colliding with an unidentified object. A police spokesperson later confirmed this initial assessment. Meanwhile, the national rail company SNCF has launched a full investigation into the precise cause of the accident. Traffic on the affected line has also been immediately suspended.
Emergency services rapidly responded to the scene. French Transport Minister Tabarot stated that 140 firefighters were actively involved in the rescue and recovery efforts. Local authorities urged the public to completely avoid the area for safety reasons. Furthermore, SNCF Reseau, the French rail network operator, emphasized that passenger care remained the immediate priority, followed by restoring safe operating conditions.
