Passenger train derails in France leaving at least 44 injured

At least 44 people have been injured in a passenger train derailment in northern France, according to local officials. An 18-year-old woman was airlifted in critical condition to hospital. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed that 180 passengers were on board the train operating between Rouen and Caen in Normandy when the accident occurred. The cause of the derailment is still under investigation. Firefighters and emergency teams were deployed to the scene shortly before 20:00 local time, with 140 personnel involved. The authorities activated a mass-casualty response plan after the crash. France's state-owned railway operator SNCF reported significant disruptions on its routes in the area, with replacement buses to be provided for affected travelers. The public was advised to avoid the area. French police have sealed the crash site near the commune of Cléon, just south of Rouen. The local authorities are working to provide assistance to those injured and to assess the damage. The Rouen-Caen route, operated by SNCF, is a regular passenger service. The incident is being treated as a serious accident. The emergency response is ongoing, with further updates expected as more information becomes available.