Around 20 people were injured in the accident, which occurred near the town of Cleon at around 7:54 p.m. local time (17:54 UTC), Philippe Tabarot said on X, DW reported.
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The minister stressed that the toll was a “provisional count.” The train was carrying 180 passengers when it derailed.
Tabarot said 140 firefighters were at the scene.
Local authorities have urged the public to avoid the area.
The French rail network operator SNCF Reseau said traffic on the line had been suspended.
“The priority is to care for the passengers and then to restore safe operating conditions,” SNCF Reseau said.
The cause of the accident is being investigated.
