A regional train traveling between Rouen and Caen derailed near Cleon on Friday evening with 186 passengers aboard, leaving 44 people injured. One passenger, an 18-year-old woman, is in critical condition. Authorities discovered a piece of rail on the track, prompting investigators to treat sabotage as a primary line of inquiry, though no suspects or organized groups have yet been named.
On Friday evening, a regional train carrying 186 passengers from Rouen to Caen derailed near Cleon, a town located on the Seine next to a Renault factory. Passengers experienced sudden jolts that intensified over approximately three seconds before the train left the tracks. The incident left 44 people injured, including an 18-year-old woman who suffered critical injuries and was flown by helicopter to Rouen University Hospital.[1], [2]
A massive rescue operation was immediately launched, involving approximately 130 firefighters, five medical teams, and 80 emergency vehicles. Train services along the affected line were completely suspended following the crash. To accommodate stranded passengers and maintain transport links, authorities deployed replacement bus services across the route.[1], [2]
Rouen prosecutor Sebastien Gallois and police investigators are currently examining whether the derailment was caused by an accident or deliberate sabotage. A police source confirmed that a fragment of rail was found on the tracks, shifting a major focus of the inquiry toward potential sabotage. However, the possibility remains unconfirmed, and investigators have not yet identified any suspects or determined if an organized group was responsible for the damage.[1], [2]
