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High-speed TGV train derails in eastern France, injuring 22

A high-speed TGV train between Strasbourg and Paris derailed after a land slip on Thursday, injuring 22 people, one of them seriously, local officials have said.

Police and emergency services rushed to the scene of the accident, which happened at 0745 local time (0845 GMT) near Ingenheim in the Bas-Rhin area of France, the local prefecture said.

"The initial assessment is that there is one injured person who is an extremely urgent case and has been evacuated by a Dragon 67 helicopter to Strasbourg-Hautepierre hospital, and 21 people who are being treated as relatively urgent cases," it said in a statement.

State rail company SNCF said on Twitter that the train driver was seriously injured and evacuated by helicopter, and that a major land slip had caused the accident. The train had 348 passengers on board, and the Strasbourg public prosecutor has opened an investigation.

Gendarmes arrive near the scene of the derailment close to Inhenheim - Patrick Hertzog/AFP
Gendarmes arrive near the scene of the derailment close to Inhenheim - Patrick Hertzog/AFP

"We are all a bit shaken," passenger Alexandre Sergeant told BFM television. "There are people crying, some have back pains."

Other trains were being re-routed, and there were delays but no cancellations. SNCF was using buses to evacuate the passengers from the stranded TGV.

In 2015, a TGV derailed on during a test run prior to the Paris-Strasbourg line's entry into service, killing 11 people.

That crash dealt a setback to the rollout of high-speed rail lines, which are a symbol of French pride and intended to support economic growth beyond the capital, Paris.