Official report or statement from SNCF or French authorities

Bruno's Suicide Causes Up to 5-Hour Delays for Thousands on Christmas Eve in France

Dec 25, 2024, 12:55 PM

On the evening of December 24, a tragic incident involving a train driver led to significant disruptions in rail service across France. The driver, identified as Bruno, 52, reportedly committed suicide by jumping from a moving TGV on the Sud-Est line. This incident caused delays of up to five hours for several trains, affecting thousands of passengers who were stranded for hours during the Christmas Eve festivities. The SNCF confirmed that the emergency braking system engaged automatically, preventing further catastrophe. The incident has prompted an investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the driver's actions, with the railway operator expressing condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased. Reports indicate that the driver had been a long-time employee and was well-regarded among his peers. As of December 25, the rail traffic began to resume gradually following the incident.