French train derailment injures 44 in Normandy

A passenger train derailed in northwestern France on Friday evening, injuring at least 44 people and triggering a large emergency response south of Rouen, local officials said.

One person, an 18-year-old woman, was critically injured and airlifted by helicopter to Rouen University Hospital, according to the prefecture of Seine-Maritime. Rouen prosecutor Sebastien Gallois said she was among 44 people hurt in the crash.

The train was travelling between Rouen and Caen in Normandy when it derailed near the commune of Cléon. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said on X that the derailment happened at about 7:45 p.m. local time, or 17:45 GMT, Al Jazeera reported. The BBC reported that the crash occurred shortly before 8 p.m. local time, or 18:00 GMT.

Accounts also differed slightly on how many people were on board. Tabarot said 180 passengers were travelling on the train, according to the BBC, while Al Jazeera reported that the train was carrying 186 passengers.

Local authorities activated a mass-casualty response plan after the derailment. Al Jazeera reported that 130 firefighters, five medical teams and 80 vehicles were sent to the scene. The BBC reported that Tabarot said 140 firefighters and other emergency teams were being deployed.

Photographs from the area showed passengers leaving the damaged train. French media reported that three carriages overturned, according to the BBC.

One passenger, identified as Louis, 24, described the moments before the derailment to local radio station ICI Normandie. “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. The windows partially shattered, the stones from the track came into the carriage,” he added. “It was really shocking. I’m still shaking.”

The cause of the derailment was not immediately known. Gallois said drug and alcohol tests on the train driver came back negative, Al Jazeera reported. Rail authorities and police are investigating.

SNCF Réseau, which manages France’s rail network, said traffic on the line had been suspended and power to the tracks was cut so emergency crews could work safely.

“The priority is to care for the passengers and then to restore safe operating conditions,” the company said.

France’s state-owned railway operator SNCF reported “significant disruptions” on routes in the area and said replacement buses would be provided. Authorities advised the public to avoid the area while emergency operations continued.