SNCF fined 128,000 euros for a 2014 train collision in Denguin, Pyrenees-Atlantiques, due to a faulty signal.
Rail company fined for accident
The SNCF, France’s national rail company, was fined 128,000 euros by a court in Pau on October 9 for injuries caused by a train accident that happened in Denguin, in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques region, on July 17, 2014.Details of the accident
The incident involved a TER train traveling from Tarbes to Dax, which collided with a TGV high-speed train. The collision occurred after a signal changed to green, allowing the TER train to proceed despite the risk of a collision.Cause of the collision
The accident was attributed to a malfunction in the signaling system, which incorrectly indicated that the track was clear. This allowed the TER train to enter a section of the track that was already occupied by the TGV.Legal consequences
The Pau court determined that the SNCF was responsible for the accident and imposed the fine as a result. The ruling highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring railway signaling systems to prevent such incidents.
