At least 44 people have been injured after a passenger train carrying approximately 180 people derailed in northern France, authorities have confirmed. The incident occurred close to Cléon in Normandy at around 7.45pm on September 11, resulting in one carriage overturning and four carriages leaving the tracks.
Casualties and emergency response
Reports from the area indicate the casualty count may be greater, with an 18-year-old woman understood to be in a critical condition and 43 passengers believed to have sustained minor injuries. A major emergency operation was launched, with French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirming that 140 firefighters had been dispatched to the location.
The regional TER train had been travelling between Rouen and Caen when it derailed between Tourville and Elbeuf-Saint-Aubin, within the Cléon commune area of Seine-Maritime, reports the Express.
Official statements and passenger numbers
Mr Tabarot stated: "At this time, the provisional report indicates about twenty injured. 140 firefighters are deployed on site to provide assistance to the injured and passengers." He added: "Along with the prefect, who is heading to the scene and coordinating the mobilization of emergency services, and the SNCF teams, we are closely following the situation."
The prefecture of Normandy and Seine-Maritime gave a separate estimate that roughly 200 passengers had been aboard, contrasting with the figure of 180 provided by the transport minister. It stated: "A passenger train operating the Rouen-Caen route derailed this evening, Friday, September 11, around 7:45 pm, near the municipalities of Cléon and Tourville-la-Rivière. Approximately 200 passengers were on board."
Emergency plan and ongoing investigation
The Seine-Maritime prefect activated the departmental operational centre at 8pm, merely 15 minutes following the derailment, and initiated the ORSEC NOVI emergency plan for incidents involving multiple casualties. The prefecture urged the public to keep clear of the area, stating: "It is requested to avoid the area. Situation updates will be communicated regularly."
Questions are now surfacing about what led to the train leaving the rails. A police source told French broadcaster BFMTV that the regional train collided with an unidentified object prior to the derailment. Nevertheless, the cause of the crash has yet to be officially confirmed.
Impact on services and next steps
One woman quoted by local media described shattered windows following the impact, with passengers reportedly hurt by flying glass and debris inside the train. Rail services have been entirely halted in both directions on the Rouen-Caen line following the derailment. Services on the Paris-Rouen-Le Havre and Rouen-Amiens routes have also faced significant disruption, according to local reports.
Emergency operations continue at the scene and the public prosecutor's office has now opened an investigation to establish the cause of the accident.
