'At least 7 killed' in French high-speed train accident

STRASBOURG, France

At least seven people have been killed and several wounded on Saturday after a test high-speed train travelling to Strasbourg derailed in Eckwersheim, Bas-Rhin, reported local media.

Police said the test train, with dozens of technicians aboard, could have "derailed due to excessive speed".

The TGV 2369 test train caught fire before overturning and smashing onto its side in Eckwersheim, north of Strasbourg this afternoon.

The train was travelling on the first part of a newly-opened line near to the German border. The second section of the Paris-Strasbourg high-speed TGV line is set to enter into service in April 2016.

French Environment Minister Segolene Royal went to the scene of accident, as emergency teams evacuated people who were wounded.

STRASBOURG, France

At least seven people have been killed and several wounded on Saturday after a test high-speed train travelling to Strasbourg derailed in Eckwersheim, Bas-Rhin, reported local media.

Police said the test train, with dozens of technicians aboard, could have "derailed due to excessive speed".

The TGV 2369 test train caught fire before overturning and smashing onto its side in Eckwersheim, north of Strasbourg this afternoon.

The train was travelling on the first part of a newly-opened line near to the German border. The second section of the Paris-Strasbourg high-speed TGV line is set to enter into service in April 2016.

French Environment Minister Segolene Royal went to the scene of accident, as emergency teams evacuated people who were wounded.