Passenger train derails near Cléon, 44 injured
A passenger train operating between Rouen and Caen in Normandy derailed late Friday evening, leaving at least 44 people injured, officials said. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed the train carried 180 passengers when the emergency unfolded.
An 18‑year‑old woman was air‑lifted in critical condition by helicopter to a nearby hospital. Local authorities deployed 140 firefighters and other emergency teams, activating a mass‑casualty response plan shortly before 20:00 local time.
Images that later surfaced show passengers evacuating the overturned carriages, with French media reporting that three carriages tipped over during the derailment. The cause of the incident remains unknown at this stage.
SNCF, France’s state‑owned railway operator, announced “significant disruptions” on its routes in the affected area and promised replacement buses for stranded passengers. Authorities advised the public to avoid the crash site while investigations continue.
Updated 1 hour after the initial report, details about the derailment’s trigger are still pending.
