A passenger train carrying 180 people derailed in northern France on Friday evening, resulting in 44 injuries, including one critical, according to officials.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. local time on tracks between Rouen and Caen in Normandy. The train, en route from Rouen to Caen, went off the rails near the town of Cleon after striking an unidentified object on the track, a French police spokesperson confirmed.
Rescue efforts are underway, with 140 firefighters at the scene. An 18-year-old female suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Rouen University Hospital in critical condition. The remaining 43 injured passengers sustained minor injuries and were transported to Cleon Town Hall.
One carriage overturned, and four others derailed. Footage from social media shows helicopters at the site.
A passenger, identified as Louis, 24, described the event. "All of a sudden there were several jerks. At first I thought it was normal, but after two or three seconds, they got stronger and stronger," he told local news outlet Ici. "I was shaken so much I couldn't stay in my seat anymore, I tried to hold onto the seat in front."
He added, "We started to derail, the windows partially shattered, especially at the front of the carriage. Stones from the track flew everywhere in the carriage. There was broken glass everywhere. It was really quite shocking, I'm still shaking."
The prefecture of Seine-Maritime advised the public to avoid the area. The train service between Rouen and Caen, and Caen and Le Havre has been suspended, with SNCF organizing a replacement bus service.
SNCF Group stated its solidarity with the injured passengers and staff. The causes of the accident are under investigation by police and SNCF. The line's power supply was cut to facilitate emergency operations. The line's power supply has been cut to allow emergency responders to work at the scene.