French law enforcement agencies are examining whether deliberate sabotage led to a passenger train crash in the northern part of the country on Friday night. The accident resulted in dozens of injuries and prompted a massive emergency response near the city of Rouen.

Investigators looking into the incident confirmed that a piece of rail was discovered directly on the tracks following the derailment. Prosecutor Sébastien Gallois stated on Saturday that authorities have not yet determined why that metal fragment was positioned there. Officials have declined to officially confirm various media reports suggesting intentional interference, choosing to keep all possibilities open while the inquiry proceeds.

The passenger service was carrying 186 travelers through the Normandy region on a route connecting Rouen and Caen. As the train approached the town of Cléon, just south of Rouen, shortly before eight o'clock in the evening, the derailment occurred.

A total of 44 individuals sustained injuries during the sudden accident. Among the injured was an 18-year-old woman whose condition was severe enough to require an emergency airlift to a medical facility.

Emergency services mobilized quickly, dispatching approximately 140 firefighters alongside other rescue personnel to secure the site and assist the victims. Passengers recounted terrifying moments as the vehicle left the rails. One traveler, identified as Louis, described experiencing sudden violent jolts that intensified rapidly within seconds, causing windows to shatter and ballast stones from the trackbed to enter the passenger compartment.

Standard procedures following transportation accidents were immediately enacted by the Rouen prosecutor's office. Toxicology screenings were performed on the train operator, with results confirming the driver tested negative for both alcohol and substances.

The investigation remains ongoing as forensic teams analyze the physical evidence recovered from the tracks. Authorities expect to release further updates once the forensic examination and witness interviews are completed.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.