ROUEN, France â At least 44 people were injured after a passenger train derailed near Rouen in Normandy on Friday evening, leaving an 18-year-old woman in critical condition and triggering a major emergency response involving more than 130 firefighters and dozens of rescue vehicles.
Passenger train derails in France leaving at least 44 injured https://t.co/DREqwXia8M
â BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) September 11, 2026
The regional TER train was travelling between Rouen and Caen when it left the tracks near ClĂŠon in the Seine-Maritime department on September 11. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot initially said about 180 passengers were aboard, while later local reporting put the total at 186.
18-year-old passenger airlifted after derailment
The most seriously injured passenger was an 18-year-old woman who was flown by helicopter to Rouen University Hospital. The other 43 injured passengers were reported to have suffered less serious injuries.
Passengers who did not require hospital treatment were moved away from the wrecked train and taken to ClĂŠon Town Hall as emergency teams secured the site and assessed casualties.
Authorities activated a mass-casualty response plan shortly after the accident. Around 130 to 140 firefighters were deployed, alongside medical teams and roughly 80 emergency vehicles.
đ¨đŤđˇ A French train has DERAILED in Normandy.
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 11, 2026
44 people were injured…1 critically.
There were 180 passengers inside.
An unidentified object reportedly caused the accident.
An investigation is underway to confirm the cause of the derailment.
What was on those tracks?âŚ
Passengers describe violent shaking and broken windows
Witness accounts described a sudden series of jolts inside the train before the derailment became more violent. One passenger said it became difficult to remain seated as windows shattered and objects were thrown around inside the carriage.
Broken glass was blamed for some injuries, while stones and debris from around the railway were also reported to have entered parts of the train.
Early reports differed over how many carriages overturned or came off the rails. Some French media reported one overturned carriage and four derailed coaches, while other accounts referred to three overturned carriages. Authorities have not yet issued a definitive final carriage count.
Police examine report of unidentified object on tracks
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. A French police spokesperson said the train had struck an unidentified object, but officials have not confirmed what it was or whether it directly caused the derailment.
The Rouen judicial police and public prosecutor’s office are investigating the accident. Alcohol and drug tests carried out on the driver were reported to be negative.
France’s state-owned railway operator SNCF has also launched an investigation and is expected to examine the condition of the train, track, infrastructure and operational data before the cause can be established.
Passengers can check current travel information through the official SNCF service before travelling through Normandy.
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Rouen-Caen services disrupted after crash
The derailment caused major disruption across the regional rail network. Services on the Rouen-Caen route were interrupted, while trains between Caen and Le Havre were also affected.
SNCF said replacement buses would be provided for some passengers. Electricity to the affected railway section was switched off during the rescue operation so emergency crews could work safely.
Delays were also reported farther along the network, including services linked with Rouen, Le Havre and Paris Saint-Lazare.
The crash comes amid wider concerns over transport disruption in Europe. A recent tour coach crash in Switzerland also prompted a major emergency response, while travellers in Britain recently faced widespread delays during the Heathrow and Gatwick air traffic control disruption.
Investigation now focuses on what caused train to leave tracks
For passengers and investigators, the biggest unanswered question is what caused the train to derail near ClĂŠon. Authorities must determine whether the reported object on the railway played a central role or whether other mechanical, track or infrastructure factors were involved.
The Seine-Maritime prefecture advised people to avoid the crash area while recovery and investigative work continued. Travellers using the Rouen-Caen corridor should check their journey before departure, as timetable changes, delays and replacement transport may continue while the damaged train and railway are assessed.
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