Train derailment in Normandy injures at least 44, no sign of attack

A train derailed on Friday evening between the cities of Rouen and Caen in Normandy, northwest France, authorities said.

The public prosecutor of Rouen, Sebastian Gallois, said 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," according to reports in the French media.

Gallois' remarks came after some politicians had suggested earlier on Saturday that the incident might have been the result of sabotage or other criminal activity.

At least 44 people were injured in the accident, which occurred near the municipalities of Cleon and Tourville-la-Riviere at around 7:30 p.m. local time (18:30 UTC), the Seine-Maritime prefect said in a statement.

One of the injured, a young woman, was in a critical state 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, national rail company SNCF and the prefect said.

What else do we know about the train derailment?

French Transport Minister Tabarot said 140 firefighters were at the scene.

Local authorities 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 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.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery