What happened? A train from Paris to Nantes (Loire-Atlantique) stopped this Thursday evening at Sablé-sur-Sarthe station (Sarthe), after around ten passengers showed symptoms of “irritation”, the prefecture announced.
“This (Thursday) evening, a TGV was stopped at Sablé sur Sarthe station. It was carrying 1,200 passengers, about ten of whom were showing symptoms of irritation,” the prefecture said in a statement, adding that firefighters and the gendarmerie were on site. “Investigations are underway to determine the origin of the symptoms,” it said.
“The passengers of TGV 8931 were evacuated from their train at Sablé following the report of a strong and unpleasant smell in the toilets of one of the cars,” SNCF told Le Parisien. “SNCF agents called the fire brigade to carry out immediate checks,” the company continued, indicating that everything is being done to “organize the care of the passengers.” “SNCF Voyageurs teams are going to the scene to organize the care of the passengers,” added a spokesperson.
“We are forbidden to leave”
The train, which left Paris at 6:50 p.m., was stopped at the station after several passengers in car 18 reported feeling unwell, some talking about “gas in the toilets,” a traveler on the train, Héloïse Girard, told AFP.
The 1,200 passengers were evacuated from the train shortly before 9 p.m. to the station and then to a municipal hall in Sablé, another passenger told Le Parisien. The authorities were in the process of blocking the road leading there, he told us. “We are forbidden from leaving: they fear delayed poisoning, if the gas has spread through the train’s vents,” our witness continues.
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