French Police Investigate Sabotage Following Rouen-Caen Train Derailment
French authorities are prioritizing a sabotage investigation after a regional train carrying 180 passengers derailed between Caen and Rouen in northern France on Friday, September 11, leaving 44 people injured, according to local officials. A fragment of railway track discovered on the line has turned the inquiry toward a potential deliberate act, prosecutors reported.
The crash involving the Rouen-Caen regional train occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. near the commune of Cleon, according to regional authorities. The incident prompted a large emergency response involving 130 firefighters, five medical teams, and 80 vehicles deployed to the scene.
Injuries and Hospital Transport Details
An 18-year-old female passenger sustained severe injuries in the derailment and was airlifted to a hospital in conditions of “maximum urgency,” according to Rouen prosecutor Sebastien Gallois. Another 43 people sustained minor injuries and received immediate medical treatment at the site, Gallois confirmed during an official briefing.
Investigators moved quickly to test the train driver for substances following the derailment. Toxicology screenings for alcohol and drugs administered to the driver came back “all negative,” according to statements released by the magistrate overseeing the initial phase of the judicial inquiry.
Passenger Accounts of the Normandy Crash
Passengers aboard the regional service described sudden violent movements moments before the train left the tracks in Normandy. Louis, a 24-year-old passenger, told local radio station Ici Normandie that the shaking escalated rapidly within seconds of the initial jolt.
“I couldn’t stay seated in my seat anymore,” Louis told Ici Normandie, describing how windows partially shattered and ballast stones from the rail bed breached the interior of the car. “It was really shocking, I’m still shaking.”
Ongoing Investigation and Railway Response
The judicial police have taken charge of the criminal investigation into the damaged track fragment, according to prosecutor Gallois. Deputy prosecutor Marie-Valerie Albert cautioned reporters during a press conference that “the investigation will be long” given the forensic complexities involved.
National railway operator SNCF stated that company officials are providing investigators with “all our cooperation, in full transparency.” Technicians and forensic teams continue examining the rails near Cleon to determine how the track fragment came to rest on the line before the evening service passed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did the train derailment happen?
The incident occurred on Friday, September 11, at approximately 7:45 p.m. near the commune of Cleon on the Rouen-Caen route in Normandy, France.
How many people were injured in the crash?
A total of 44 people were injured, including an 18-year-old female passenger who suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition.
What is the primary cause being investigated by police?
French police are prioritizing a sabotage investigation after discovering a fragment of railway track on the lines ahead of the derailed train.
Were the train driver’s toxicology tests clear?
Yes. According to the Rouen prosecutor, drug and alcohol tests administered to the driver following the incident were all negative.
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