France
Train deliberately derailed near Lyon

A passenger train was

photo: AP/ eXcite

derailed in south east France after running into iron bars that are thought to have been deliberately placed on the track. Two people died in the incident.
One of those who died is believed to have been the driver of the train. A Belgian passenger who suffered a heart attack also died. A further fifteen people were injured in the incident which occurred at 00:20 (local time). The train which was travelling from the Italian city of Vintimiglia to Calais was carrying 371 passengers.

The derailment occurred just as the train was leaving the station at Chasse-sur-Rhone near Lyon. Nine coaches and the locomotive were derailed.

Several minutes before the derailment another train had safely passed the same spot. The bars that were found on the track were metre long sections of rail. French police have questioned a man in connection with the incident.

Web sources:

Man held over France train deaths
BBC Online 04 Jun 2000

Vandalism suspected in deadly train crash
ITN 04 Jun 2000

Four Britons hurt in French rail crash
ThisIsLondon 04 Jun 2000