French officials investigate if 'malicious act' caused train derailment
French authorities are investigating a train derailment in Normandy that left 44 people injured, suspecting a potential 'malicious act' after a rail fragment was found on the tracks. Emergency services were deployed to the scene near Cléon to assist passengers.
Why it matters
The investigation into potential sabotage on public infrastructure raises significant safety and security concerns for European rail travel.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, Authorities have yet to comment on media reports that sabotage may have caused the derailment
Officials in northern France are investigating if the derailment of a passenger train on Friday evening was the result of "a malicious act".
Prosecutor Sébastien Gallois said on Saturday that a fragment of rail had been found on the tracks - and the reasons for its presence were "unknown".
Local media say 186 passengers were on board the train that was operating between Rouen and Caen in Normandy.
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