French police suspect train derailment was sabotage

A train carrying 186 passengers derailed near Renault's factory in the town of Cleon, Normandy, France, on September 11, 2023, around 7:45 PM, according to prosecutors. The incident left 44 people injured, including an 18-year-old woman in critical condition, who later improved but remained hospitalized. French investigators suspect sabotage as the cause of the derailment, with a fragment of rail found on the track.

The windows of the undamaged carriages shattered due to the train's speed, and stones flew into the remaining carriages. Cleon Mayor Melanie Delacour stated that the victims were in a state of shock, and some passengers expressed they would never use the train again. The train network initially suspended traffic on the line and cut power to the tracks for emergency services.

SNCF Reseau revealed that the accident caused significant disruptions to rail traffic and that services had resumed once the public prosecutor approved. The investigation into the cause of the derailment is still ongoing, and SNCF has pledged full cooperation in the inquiry.