Train with 180 Passengers Derails in France, Leaving 44 Injured Including One Critically

At least 44 individuals sustained injuries, with one person reported in critical condition, following a significant train derailment in northern France. The incident unfolded on Friday evening, around 7:30 PM local time, as a passenger train was traversing the tracks between the cities of Rouen and Caen.

The train, which was transporting 180 passengers, derailed near the town of Cleon in Normandy. This information was confirmed by Philippe Tabarot, the French transportation minister, through a post on X.

According to a police spokesperson, the derailment occurred after the train collided with an unidentified object on the tracks. The local rescue teams, consisting of 140 firefighters, were promptly deployed to assist the injured passengers.

Local news sources reported that an 18-year-old girl suffered severe injuries and is currently in a critical condition. The remaining 43 passengers reported only minor injuries. The injured teenager has been airlifted to Rouen University Hospital, while the other passengers were taken to a nearby town hall.

Multiple carriages were affected: one carriage overturned and four others derailed around the same time the train hit the object. Visuals from the scene indicate the severity of the incident, with emergency responders working in chaotic conditions.

Rescue teams working at the derailment site, where a train carrying 180 passengers went off the rails.

The local authority, the prefecture of Seine-Maritime, has advised the public to stay away from the area. One passenger, Louis, 24, described the ordeal, stating, “There were several jerks, which escalated quickly. I was thrown from my seat as the train started to derail, with windows shattering and debris flying around.”

Footage shared on social media depicted helicopters hovering above the scene, augmenting the urgency of the situation. SNCF announced that services between Rouen and Caen, as well as Caen and Le Havre, have been suspended, with a replacement bus service being organized.

The operator expressed its full support for the injured passengers and their families, confirming that investigations into the derailment’s cause are underway. To facilitate emergency operations, power to the railway line has been cut off.