20 Die, 30 Hurt in Train Crash at Paris Station

A commuter train whose brakes apparently failed slammed into a stationary train Monday at an underground platform in the Gare de Lyon here, killing 20 people, injuring at least 30 and trapping more in the wreckage, officials said.

Philippe Rouvillois, president of the railroad authority, known as the SNCF, said the moving train had a “braking problem.”

“When the driver noticed a problem with the brakes, he asked travelers in the train to move toward the back,” Rouvillois said.

He said the train went through a red light about 500 yards from the station. It reportedly was traveling at a speed of up to 50 m.p.h.

Fire officials handling the rescue operation said 20 bodies had been removed and at least 30 people were injured, 13 seriously. Only two of those still trapped in the wreckage were known to be alive, meaning the death toll was likely to continue climbing, they said.

About 250 rescue workers struggled through the night, sawing through the tangle of metal looking for more survivors. Forty fire engines, 15 ambulances and a helicopter were at the station.

Witnesses said the impact of the speeding train forced some of its cars into and on top of the cars of the stationary train.

The eight-car Paris-bound train, coming from the southeastern suburb of Melun, sliced into the four-car train that was preparing to depart, splitting open the front car of the stationary train.

The conductor of the stationary train, who was not injured, said: “All at once I saw the train coming toward me at high speed and I had just enough time to jump onto the platform.”

A witness who saw the accident from the platform said: “The shock was extremely violent and the noise was enormous and resounding. I was on the platform when I saw the train arrive, running at what seemed to be an extremely high speed.

“I told myself, ‘It isn’t possible; it will stop.’ But it smashed into the other that was parked. Two cars were completely flattened. On the platform, people began to panic and then run in all directions.”