Passengers describe terrifying moments after train derailment as investigators examine key evidence

News44 injured after France train derailment; investigators suspect possible malicious actEmergency crews and railway workers respond after a passenger train carrying 186 people derailed near Cléon, France. Investigators are examining whether an object found on the tracks contributed to the crash that injured 44 people. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)APA passenger train carrying 186 people derailed in northwestern France on Friday evening, leaving at least 44 people injured and prompting investigators to examine whether the crash may have been caused intentionally, according to France 24. Authorities said the train was traveling between Rouen and Caen in the Normandy region when it left the tracks near the town of Cléon. Emergency crews rushed to the scene after the derailment occurred around 7:45 p.m. local time. Officials activated a mass-casualty response plan and deployed more than 100 firefighters, medical teams and dozens of emergency vehicles to assist passengers and secure the area, CBS News reported.Among those injured was an 18-year-old woman who was airlifted to a hospital in Rouen. Prosecutors later said her condition had improved and she was no longer considered to be in life-threatening danger. Most of the other injured passengers suffered less severe injuries. Passengers described a frightening scene as the train began shaking before several cars left the rails. One rider told local media the jolts became increasingly violent within seconds. Windows cracked, stones from the track flew into passenger compartments and many people were left badly shaken. Investigators have turned their attention to what may have caused the derailment. According to French authorities, a section of rail was discovered on the track, making a possible malicious act the leading line of inquiry. Prosecutors emphasized that investigators are still working to determine exactly how the object ended up on the rails and whether it played a direct role in the derailment, RFI said.The train’s data recorder, often referred to as a black box, has been seized as part of the investigation. Authorities also launched a criminal probe while forensic experts review evidence collected from the scene. French rail operator SNCF suspended service on the line immediately after the derailment and arranged replacement bus transportation for affected travelers. Service disruptions were reported on routes linking Rouen, Caen and Le Havre before rail operations gradually resumed. The derailment remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced any arrests. Officials say determining whether the incident was accidental or deliberate will likely take time as investigators continue examining physical evidence and data from the train. Chris Pugh covers trending news and national breaking stories, focusing on the moments, conversations, and cultural flashpoints shaping the national news cycle. Chris worked as a digital reporter for...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by AL.com staff.