French officials investigate if 'malicious act' caused train derailment

Authorities in northern France are investigating if the derailment of a passenger train on Friday evening was the result of "a malicious act".

Key points

• Some 140 firefighters and other emergency teams were deployed to the scene of the incident near Cléon, just south of Rouen, shortly before 20: 00 (18: 00 GMT).
• Local media say 186 passengers were on board the train that was operating between Rouen and Caen in Normandy.
• Prosecutor Sébastien Gallois remarked on Saturday that a fragment of rail had been identified on the tracks – and the reasons for its presence were "unknown".
• Fourty-four were treated for injuries, including an 18-year-old woman who was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition.
• "Suddenly there were a few jolts, and then after about three seconds it got stronger and stronger, " Louis, a passenger on the train, informed ICI Normandie radio.

"I couldn't stay in my seat anymore. The windows partially shattered, the stones from the track came into the carriage. It was really shocking. I'm still shaking, " he continued.

For context, the Rouen prosecutor's office remarked the train driver had tested negative for drugs and alcohol.

For now, french officials investigate if ' malicious act' caused train derailment remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.