A passenger train derailed on Friday evening between the cities of Rouen and Caen in Normandy, northwest France, injuring at least 44 people, authorities said. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. local time (18:30 UTC) near the municipalities of Cleon and Tourville-la-Riviere, according to the Seine-Maritime prefect.

The public prosecutor of Rouen, Sebastian Gallois, stated on Saturday evening that there was "no indication of a malicious act carried out with the deliberate intention of derailing the train, and certainly not of an attack." His remarks came after some politicians had suggested earlier on Saturday that the incident might have been the result of sabotage or other criminal activity. The investigation is ongoing.

One of the injured, a young woman, was in critical condition and was evacuated by helicopter to Rouen, the local authority added. Her condition has reportedly improved in the hours since. The train was carrying around 180 passengers when it derailed, according to national rail company SNCF and the prefect.

French Transport Minister Tabarot said 140 firefighters were at the scene. Local authorities had urged the public to avoid the area. The French rail network operator SNCF Reseau said traffic on the line had been suspended. "The priority is to care for the passengers and then to restore safe operating conditions," SNCF Reseau said.

A police spokesperson had said the train derailed after hitting an unidentified object. A piece of rail that might have been involved has been found on the track, according to police reports. The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.

Source: www.dw.com