A train derailment Friday evening near Rouen, France, may have been caused by malicious intent, leaving 44 individuals injured, including an 18-year-old who was airlifted in critical condition. According to police sources, the theory of sabotage is being taken seriously after a piece of track was discovered at the site of the accident.
The incident occurred around 7:45 PM between the Tourville and Elbeuf-Saint-Aubin stations in Cléon, a town located south of Rouen. The two-carriage train was carrying 186 passengers at the time of the derailment.
Critical Evacuations Following the Accident
Emergency response teams were deployed, consisting of 130 firefighters, five medical teams, and 80 vehicles. The critically injured passenger was transported by helicopter to the University Hospital in Rouen, while 43 others were treated with varying degrees of urgency, as stated by Rouen prosecutor Sébastien Gallois.
The Rouen judicial police have been tasked with launching an investigation into the incident. Initial tests for alcohol and drug use on the train conductor returned negative results, according to the prosecutor.
Passengers Describe the Shock of the Incident
Survivors recounted the jarring nature of the derailment. A 24-year-old passenger named Louis described the experience, stating, “Suddenly, there were a few jolts, and then, after three seconds, they intensified. I could no longer stay seated… The windows partially shattered and debris from the tracks flew into the carriage. It was truly shocking; I’m still trembling.”
In response to the derailment, the prefect of the Seine-Maritime department activated the Orsec plan for multiple victims and arrived at the scene promptly.
The accident caused significant disruptions to train services between Rouen and Caen, and also between Caen and Le Havre in both directions, according to the French railway company, SNCF. Although traffic was initially halted in a wide area surrounding the accident site, including on the Paris-Rouen and Rouen-Amiens lines, it was restored by Saturday morning, as confirmed by an SNCF Réseau spokesperson.
Recovery teams must wait for the prosecutor to clear the area before they can conduct a thorough inspection and organize recovery operations, the spokesperson added.
