10 Killed as French Train Derails, Catches Fire
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – At least 10 people have been killed and 32 injured as a train derailed and caught fire in Eckwersheim near Strasbourg in France, according to officials.
A high-speed TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) train derailed in Eckwersheim in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace in northeastern France mid-afternoon on Saturday, RT reported.
Officials said that out of the injured, 12 are in serious condition. Several people have been airlifted from the scene on a helicopter.
The train was carrying 49 people, all of whom were employees of SNCF (France's national state-owned railway company) national railways.
Local officials said the accident was apparently caused by "excessive speed.”
The train derailed while on a bridge and the cars fell into the Marne-Rhine canal, according to witness reports.
