French officials investigate if malicious act caused train derailment

French officials are probing whether a derailment of a passenger train on Friday evening resulted from a malicious act, according to Prosecutor Sébastien Gallois. A piece of rail was found on the tracks, but the reason for its presence remains unclear. The train, operating between Rouen and Caen in Normandy, carried 186 passengers, with 44 receiving medical attention for injuries.

Among the injured was an 18-year-old woman airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. Emergency services, including around 140 firefighters, responded to the scene near Cléon, south of Rouen, shortly before 20:00 local time. Passenger Louis recounted the sudden jolts, the increasing intensity of the movement, shattered windows, and stones from the track entering the carriage. The train driver tested negative for drugs and alcohol.