TGV hits tree on tracks between Paris and Lyon, delays on route
A tree landed on the track after storms in the area. Passengers are being asked to check their travel schedule and not to turn up to stations if they are on a delayed service
The front of the train was damaged, causing the service to stop
SNCF
A TGV in eastern France struck a tree that had fallen onto the tracks earlier this morning, causing delays to trains between Paris and Lyon, as well as to the south of France.
The tree had fallen onto high-speed tracks after a ‘mini tornado’ in the Yonne department, and was hit by the train around 07:00.
Nobody on board the service was injured, however the front of the train was damaged. You can see this in the photo below.
Disruption to trains between Paris and Dijon/Lyon is expected to last until around 13:00 today (July 31).
High-speed trains cannot take an alternative route due to the bad weather in the area, the SNCF said.
Other tracks have also been disrupted by trees falling onto them, SNCF added.
The Yonne department is currently facing heightened warnings for storms.
Around 80,000 passengers are expected to have their journeys affected.
The route is the main TGV line for services between Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, and services from Paris to other destinations in the south and south-east including Nice, Montpellier and Perpignan.
Services from Lyon to destinations in the south are slightly affected.
The SNCF is asking people to not turn up to stations early if their service is delayed.
All tickets for passengers affected by the delays will be fully reimbursed or can be exchanged for another train service to the same destination.
It comes after massive disruptions on France’s rail network last weekend, after saboteurs damaged high-speed lines across the country.
Read more: TGV and Eurostar disruption ends but who carried out French attacks?
