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Train crashes into fallen tree in southern France, at least 60 injured

The train reportedly crashed into a tree that had been left on the tracks following a heavy thunderstorm near Montpellier, leaving 11 people seriously injured.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

A train has crashed in France during violent storms, injuring at least 60 of the hundreds of passengers on board, reports The Independent.

The train reportedly crashed into a tree that had been left on the tracks following a heavy thunderstorm.

According to preliminary reports, the train hit the obstacle, leaving the engine completely destroyed and both the bumper and windshield smashed.

Initial reports that the train had derailed were later shown to be incorrect, according to Infos H24.

At least 10 people are said to have been seriously hurt and one passenger was in a critical condition after being thrown from the train, local TV channel France 3 Languedoc-Roussillon reported.

The incident took place while the TER train, which can travel up to speeds of 86mph, was in the Saint-Aunès district, near Montpellier.

Emergency services at the scene evacuated several hundred people. All traffic in the region was stopped

Read more of this report from The Independent.