At least 44 people have been injured after a passenger train derailed in northern France, with one woman in critical condition.
The incident happened shortly before 20:00 local time on Friday near Cléon, a commune just south of Rouen in Normandy. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said about 180 passengers were on board the train, which was travelling between Rouen and Caen.
An 18-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital in critical condition. Authorities said at least one person suffered serious injuries in the derailment. About 140 firefighters and other emergency personnel were deployed to the scene following the crash.
Local authorities activated a mass-casualty response plan as emergency teams worked to assist passengers and assess the extent of the damage.
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Photographs from the scene showed passengers being evacuated from the damaged train. French media reported that three carriages had overturned. The cause of the derailment was not immediately known. Authorities have not yet indicated whether mechanical failure, track conditions or another factor was responsible.
France’s state-owned railway operator SNCF warned of significant disruption to train services in the area following the incident. The operator said replacement buses would be provided for affected passengers as railway services were disrupted.
Authorities also advised members of the public to avoid the area while emergency operations continued.
