A passenger train carrying 186 people derailed sunday evening, in Cléon, northwestern France, leaving 44 people injured and triggering an investigation into how a large piece of rail ended up on the tracks. The train was traveling between Rouen and Caen when it came off the tracks at around 7:45 p.m. local time.
One carriage tipped onto its side while four others came off the tracks during the derailment. Among those injured was an 18-year-old woman who was initially taken to the hospital in critical condition. She was later reported to be out of immediate danger but remained hospitalized.
The investigation took a more serious turn after authorities found a large fragment of rail lying on the track. Officials said the reason it was there remains unknown, but the possibility of a malicious act is being treated as a major line of inquiry. Investigators are still working to determine exactly what happened and whether the rail fragment caused the train to derail.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, with more than 100 firefighters, medical teams and dozens of emergency vehicles involved in the response. Passengers described the derailment as extremely frightening, with windows shattering and debris flying into the train cars.
Authorities have stressed that the cause has not yet been definitively established. The investigation remains ongoing as officials examine the train, the tracks and the circumstances surrounding the derailment.