A passenger train derailed in northern France near Cléon, leaving at least 44 people injured, including one in critical condition, the incident occurred shortly before 20:00 local time (18:00 GMT) as the train traveled between Rouen and Caen in Normandy. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed 180 passengers were aboard the train at the time of the derailment.

Emergency Response and Evacuation

Local authorities activated a mass-casualty response plan, deploying 140 firefighters and emergency teams to the scene; an 18-year-old woman was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition by helicopter. French media reported that three train carriages overturned in the crash.

French police stated that the train came off the tracks after striking an unidentified object — the prefect of the region, Jean-Benoit Albertini, said the critically injured were evacuated to hospital. Replacement buses were put in place for affected passengers, and train services between Rouen and Caen were suspended due to the incident.

Cause of Derailment Under Investigation

The cause of the derailment has not yet been determined, France’s state-owned railway operator, SNCF, reported “significant disruptions” on its routes in the area and advised the public to avoid the region. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident, according to authorities.

French Transport Minister Tabarot said the derailment occurred near Cléon, just south of Rouen, while the local authority prefecture of Seine-Maritime also advised the public to stay away from the area while emergency teams worked to manage the situation.

Disruptions to Rail Services

As a result of the derailment, train services between Rouen and Caen, as well as Caen and Le Havre, were suspended, SNCF confirmed that replacement buses would be provided to assist passengers affected by the disruption. The incident has also caused widespread concern among local residents and travelers, with many expressing worry about the safety of rail travel in the region.

France’s railway network is among the most heavily used in Europe, and this derailment has raised questions about the integrity of its infrastructure and emergency response systems. As of now, no further details about the condition of the injured have been released.