French train derailment in Normandy sparks sabotage investigation after 44 injured

13 Sep 2026 • 2:30 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

French train derailment in Normandy sparks sabotage investigation after 44 injured

  • French authorities are investigating whether sabotage was responsible for a regional train derailment in Cleon, Normandy, which left 44 people injured on Friday evening.
  • The train was carrying 186 passengers from Rouen to Caen when it derailed after running over a piece of rail present on the track, which police stated was probably linked to the incident.
  • An 18-year-old woman who suffered serious injuries was evacuated by helicopter to Rouen University Hospital; officials confirmed her life is no longer in danger, while all other victims have received medical care.
  • Prosecutor Sebastien Gallois announced that the train's black box has been seized, court-appointed experts have been brought in, and interviews are underway to determine if the cause was accidental or intentional.
  • The derailment follows previous major rail accidents in France, including the 2013 Bretigny-sur-Orge derailment that killed seven people and the 2015 Eckwersheim TGV test crash that claimed 11 lives.

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