French police suspect train derailment was sabotage

Police in northwest France suspect a train derailment that injured 44 people, including one critically, was due to sabotage, according to a police source. The incident occurred near Renault's factory in Cleon, between Rouen and Caen, on Friday evening when the train carrying 186 passengers derailed around 7:45 pm. Authorities have activated a mass-casualty response plan with 130 firefighters, five medical teams, and 80 vehicles responding to the scene.

One of the passengers, Louis, 24, described the chaos, saying that the train suddenly jolted and then the derailment intensified. The windows partially shattered, and stones from the track came into the carriage. However, tests for drugs and alcohol in the train driver returned negative.

SNCF Reseau, the company controlling the French rail network, reported that traffic on the line was suspended and power to the tracks was cut to allow emergency services to operate. The derailment caused major disruptions to rail traffic between Rouen, Caen, and Le Havre in both directions. A replacement bus service has been set up for the affected route, and services are expected to resume once the public prosecutor gives the go-ahead.

The 18-year-old woman with the most severe injuries was evacuated in a critical condition. Two others were reported as seriously injured. The prosecutor Sebastien Gallois confirmed that 44 people were injured in total. The rail network investigation is ongoing, and authorities have stated they will cooperate fully and transparently in the inquiry.