Train traffic has been severely disrupted between Aubagne and Carnoules following a tragic accident at Toulon station on January 22. Authorities have confirmed the suspension of services, expecting delays and cancellations until at least 11 AM.
The incident occurred early Wednesday when a worker employed by SNCF was electrocuted during maintenance work on the catenary lines near the Louis-Armand bridge, around 3:30 AM. Immediate emergency services were dispatched to the scene, leading to the total halt of all train traffic in the area.
According to sources, numerous trains to popular destinations, including Marseille, Hyères, and Les Arcs-Draguignan, were canceled or delayed as crews worked to deal with the aftermath of the incident. Passengers faced considerable wait times; for example, the TGV heading to Paris, scheduled for 7:50, was delayed by two hours. Trains bound for Nice, previously set for 6:42 and 7:15, were also impacted, pushing back departure times by over an hour.
SNCF issued statements confirming the extent of the disruption. A spokesperson noted, "Le trafic est actuellement interrompu dans le secteur pour permettre l'intervention des secours et des forces de l'ordre." They emphasized the necessity of ensuring safety and allowing emergency services the space to operate effectively.
Renaud Muselier, the president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, expressed his condolences on social media, stating, "Mes pensées immédiates vont à la victime et à ses proches. Elles accompagnent aussi les femmes et les hommes qui mettent en œuvre au quotidien, à nos côtés, le service public ferroviaire régional." His words highlighted not only the human tragedy of the accident but also the dedication of those working within public rail services.
Authorities are currently conducting investigations to ascertain the precise circumstances of the accident and to prevent future occurrences. Passengers are advised to stay updated via SNCF's communication channels as service returns to normal. The expectation remains for train operations to resume, albeit cautiously, around 11 AM as safety checks and cleanup efforts are completed.
This unfortunate event raises awareness about the challenges faced by railway workers, many of whom operate under hazardous conditions. The community and safety regulators will undoubtedly be watching closely as the investigations proceed, seeking to strike the right balance between operational efficiency and worker safety.