november train france performing commissioning trials second phase high speed rail line scheduled open commercial service months later resulted deaths aboard aboard train injured fatal history entered commercial service test train traveling eastbound southern track entered curve mph mph assigned speed causing rear lead power car left outside curve forces lead power car separated rest train rear lead power car struck concrete bridge rhine canal power car slid left bridge overturned sliding embankment coming rest metres end bridge cars bridge travelled embankment speed canal come rest beginning bridge cars came rest east bank canal rear power car ended partially submerged canal according investigators late braking led train entering curve excessive speed immediate cause accident criminal technical investigations ongoing french national rail operator suspended test trials high speeds lessons learned investigation integrated testing process scheduled opening second phase est commercial service delayed months april july background est shortened high speed rail line connecting paris development divided phases phase sur near paris opened june construction second phase near began final rails second phase occurred march marking completion line work remained time line scheduled open commercial service april following commissioning trials training operators scheduled tests line consisted phases factory testing components line completed site testing components functioning completed static testing slow moving trains completed late august dynamic testing line trains operating high speed began september scheduled completed november specialized test train set commemorative arrived conduct fourth phase testing began september phase test runs performed line test runs test ride performance radio communications signalling system runs test train operate planned operational speeds line enters service automated safety systems disabled allow test train operate normal operating conditions orientation training operators scheduled place january march prior start commercial service line scheduled april time accident january announced opening line delayed july accident departure tests scheduled november traverse tracks directions travel test speed speed limit line commercial service afternoon november test train scheduled depart station arrive authorization given begin test test train left station minutes later test test train traveled eastbound track southern track east west oriented direction opposite normal operation paris run series tests line fourth phase tests train reached maximum speed mph sections speed limit mph train approached flying junction slowed mph reaching kilometer point speed limit commercial service mph track begins long right hand curve flying junction raised embankment approximately high crosses bridge rhine canal flying junction marks end line train continue existing non high speed rail line leading train entered right hand curve flying junction rear lead power car left outside curve approximately violent transverse movements rear lead power car caused separate rest train rear lead power car struck concrete leading bridge rhine canal impact broke apart lead power car caused oil leak lead power car ignited spread bridge canal banks rear lead power car remained impacted concrete lead power car landed east bank canal remainder lead power car slid left bridge end bridge overturned slid embankment came rest metres end bridge cars bridge traveled embankment speed canal come rest beginning bridge cars came rest east bank canal rear power car ended partially submerged canal response casualties train disappeared approach zone junction display monitored staff signalling control center control center initiated emergency procedures loss train closed non high speed rail lines pass junction approximately time companies involved construction line received employee aboard train informed shortly local mass casualty plan enacted emergency medical fire rescue services responded incident height engines responded incident minor injuries treated operated school french minister ecology sustainable development energy secretary travelled site shortly crash president president travelled site hours accident train carrying persons including children ages officially authorized aboard resulted deaths included employees technicians engineering firm responsible tests guests died crash scene died following evening seriously injured person remained hospital february dead director line owns france railroad infrastructure despite breaking pieces severe impact deaths seven people cab second car impacted canal wall car highest death toll fatal history entered commercial service investigation investigations opened bureau sur les responsible investigating rail accidents france conduct non judicial technical investigation criminal investigation internal investigation opened subjects investigate duties employee resulted unauthorized children riding train president practice recognizes test train test train occurred day november paris attacks initially sparking fears work terrorists november announced initial findings investigation train event recorder indicated train entered curve mph travelling mph moment investigators determined result forces speed moment mph train assigned operating speed curve according immediate cause accident late braking sequence braking begun seconds earlier investigation found fault accident infrastructure train member technical team seven people driving cab time accident survived investigators suggested factor late braking begin disciplinary proceedings measures employees responsible things reckless presence children test train presence seven people cab lack creating lists onboard controlling access train doubt human errors cab aftermath held minute silence victims course operations monday november following day memorial service held church attended president suspended test trials high speeds lessons learned investigation integrated testing processes scheduled opening second phase est commercial service delayed months april july trains operate single intact track damaged track repaired months judicial inquiry lifts hold track
Eckwersheim derailment