In a concerning incident in northwest France, a train derailment has left 44 people injured, one of them critically, prompting authorities to investigate possible sabotage. This tragic event occurred on a route running between the cities of Rouen and Caen, where law enforcement is now focusing on the potential for a malicious act after a piece of rail was discovered on the tracks.

Details of the Incident

The incident unfolded around 7:45 PM local time (17:45 GMT) while the train was carrying 186 passengers. In response to the derailment, authorities quickly initiated a mass-casualty response plan, which mobilized 130 firefighters, five medical teams, and 80 emergency vehicles to the scene.

According to Rouen’s prosecutor, Sebastien Gallois, the injuries reported included an 18-year-old woman who was evacuated in critical condition. Fortunately, preliminary drug and alcohol tests on the train driver returned negative results, alleviating some initial concerns about driver impairment.

Response from Authorities

SNCF Réseau, the organization responsible for the French railway network, confirmed that train services on this line have been suspended. In addition, electricity to the tracks has been cut to facilitate the work of emergency responders, ensuring a safe environment for their operations.