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Train Driver's Suicide Causes Up to Five Hours of Delays for Ten TGV Trains Affecting Thousands on Christmas Eve

Dec 25, 2024, 11:21 AM

On the evening of December 24, 2024, a tragic incident involving a train driver led to significant disruptions on the high-speed TGV line in the Sud-Est region of France. Reports indicate that the driver committed suicide by jumping from the moving train, which resulted in delays for approximately ten TGV trains, affecting several thousand passengers. Delays ranged from one and a half to five hours, with some travelers reportedly stuck on board for over six hours. The SNCF confirmed the incident and noted that the train's automatic safety systems functioned correctly, preventing further catastrophe. As the situation unfolded, the Minister of Transport, Philippe Tabarot, suggested that the driver's actions may have been linked to personal issues. An investigation is underway to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, and discussions about compensating affected passengers are also being initiated.