INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

France Train Derailment: High-Speed Train Derails On New Paris Line, 5 Dead And 7 Injured [Breaking]

By Tara West
Published on: 05:17 PST, Nov 14, 2015

Another deadly disaster for France this morning as a high-speed train derails near Eckwersheim, France. The train derailment occurred as technicians tested the new Paris-Strasbourg line for the opening, which was slated for early next year. Initial reports indicate that five people may have died along with seven other injuries.

The BBC reports that the new high-speed train line between Paris and Strasbourg was scheduled to open next year. Therefore, train technicians were testing the train when the deadly derailment took place. According to the report, 49 people were on the train when it derailed, caught fire, and plummeted into a canal. The train was reportedly only carrying train technicians at the time of the incident and no passengers as the new Paris line was not set to open until next year.

Those on the scene report that emergency responders have used helicopters to take injured victims to local hospitals, while a dive team was called in to aide in the canal rescue. The BBC report indicates that the accident “killed at least seven people,” but later in the article say that seven were injured, not killed. However, a report by Business Insider reports that five people were killed and seven injured in the deadly crash.

According to the Business Insider, the deadly high-speed train derailment happened near Eckwersheim, a town close to Strasbourg on the border of Germany. The new train line, scheduled to open next year, was set to operate as a high-speed travel option between Paris and Strasbourg. Therefore, at the time of the deadly crash, the train was just a test train, not a passenger train. The 49 people on board were all train technicians or working with the train company.

Numerous tweets out of France show the horrifying aftermath of the train derailment including debris along the ground and the train submerged in the water. One photo shows emergency crews treating the injured.

The tragedy comes as France is still reeling from yesterday’s terrorist attack that was the deadliest attack on the country since World War II. France 24 reports this morning that at more than 120 people were killed when six separate locations were targeted by terrorists including the Bataclan concert venue and Stade de France stadium in Paris. With so much violence taking place yesterday, many are wondering if the train derailment could be the work of terror groups. Despite the concern, initial reports suggest the crash is not connected to the deadly terror attacks in Paris last night, than left at least 127 dead and 300 injured. Instead, authorities believe that “excessive speed” played a role in this morning’s deadly France train derailment.

Meanwhile, the Islamic State has taken responsibility for yesterday’s attack on Paris. The organization claims that the attacks were retaliation for France’s bombing in Syria and that France was a “key target” for the terrorist group. President François Hollande has also confirmed that ISIS was to blame for the terror attacks in Paris and says that France will be “ruthless in its response” to the attack. Hollande also has declared three days of national mourning following the horrific attacks in the country. Other world leaders are also stepping up saying that they will support France through the horrifying ordeal including U.S. President Barack Obama.

As for the response to the deadly high-speed train derailment, Junior transport minister Alain Vidalies and Ecology Minister Segolene Royal are reportedly heading to the scene.

[Image via Twitter/ @Cmouadelph]

Share this article: France Train Derailment: High-Speed Train Derails On New Paris Line, 5 Dead And 7 Injured [Breaking]
france
More from Inquisitr