French investigators suspect sabotage may have caused a train derailment in Normandy that injured 44 people, including an 18-year-old woman in critical condition, after a fragment of rail was found on the track near the scene. The incident occurred Friday at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time in Cléon, a town near Renault’s factory, as a TER regional train carrying 186 passengers traveled between Rouen and Caen.
Immediate response and confirmed injuries
Authorities activated a mass-casualty response plan, deploying 130 firefighters, five medical teams, and 80 vehicles to the site. Emergency services evacuated the injured, with the 18-year-old woman airlifted to Rouen University Hospital in critical condition. By Saturday, her condition was no longer life-threatening, though she remained hospitalized. Cleon Mayor Melanie Delacour described victims as being “in a state of shock,” noting that shattered windows and flying debris from the derailment contributed to the injuries.
Investigation focuses on rail fragment as possible evidence of sabotage
Rouen prosecutor Sébastien Gallois confirmed that a piece of rail found on the track is being treated as the primary line of inquiry into whether the derailment was caused by a malicious act. The fragment’s presence remains unexplained, and investigators have not ruled out accidental causes. Tests for drugs and alcohol on the train driver returned negative, according to prosecutors.
Train’s condition and structural damage
During the derailment, one carriage tipped onto its side, while four others left the tracks. Railway staff and investigators were observed conducting assessments at the scene on Saturday morning. The TER train, operated by France’s national rail company SNCF, was traveling at an undetermined speed when the incident occurred.
Historical context of rail safety in France
This incident follows prior rail disasters in France, including:
- The July 2013 derailment at Brétigny-sur-Orge, which killed seven people.
- The November 2015 TGV derailment near Strasbourg, which resulted in 11 fatalities during a test run.
Ongoing inquiries and cautious statements
Investigators emphasized that no definitive conclusions have been reached. A spokeswoman for France’s national police communications service (SICOP) stated that the rail fragment was “probably” linked to the derailment, though the reasons for its presence remain under investigation. The prosecutor’s office reiterated that conclusions would depend on further forensic and technical analysis.