Police look into possible sabotage after Normandy train crash leaves 44 hurt

French investigators are treating a possible act of sabotage as the main line of inquiry after a regional train came off the tracks in Normandy on Friday night, leaving 44 people injured.

A TER Nomad service packed with 186 passengers was running between Rouen and Caen when it struck a heavy metal object near Cleon around 19.45. Police sources say a section of rail, thought to weigh 250 to 300kg, was found on the line. Another train had gone through the same stretch about an hour earlier without trouble.

Incroyable ce déraillement !! pic.twitter.com/B3uLPXIz3o

— ☀️ Normandie Météo (@NormandieMeteo) September 11, 2026

What happened on the Rouen-Caen line

Carriages left the rails at a speed of about 140km/h. One carriage ended up on its side. Windows blew out and ballast stones flew into the carriages. A 24-year-old passenger named Louis told local radio he felt a few jolts, then a violent shake that threw him from his seat.

Rescue teams launched a mass-casualty operation. About 130 firefighters, five medical units and 80 vehicles reached the scene near the Renault plant. An 18-year-old woman was flown by helicopter to Rouen University Hospital in a critical state. Officials later said her life was no longer at risk. Most of the other injured have already gone home or were due out shortly.

Alcohol and drug tests on the driver came back clean. Rouen prosecutor Sebastien Gallois has opened an inquiry into causing serious injuries. Judicial police have taken the train’s black box. SNCF says it will give investigators full access.

Travel knock-on and what comes next

Services between Rouen and Caen were stopped while crews worked around the wreckage. Replacement buses are running. SNCF Reseau cut power to the tracks so emergency staff could work safely.

Passenger derailments of this type are uncommon on France’s network. Similar attacks on signalling and cables have hit the system before, including disruption on the eve of the Paris Olympics and cable theft that stranded Eurostar travellers near Lille. A level-crossing smash in Pas-de-Calais earlier this year also showed how quickly a French rail incident can turn serious.

No one has been named and no motive has been given. Police technical teams were still on site on Saturday.