1,200 passengers on a TGV evacuated for several hours in Sarthe due to a strong smell in a train

Around ten people showing symptoms of irritation were examined and placed under observation, but none required hospitalization, according to the SNCF.

The 1,200 passengers on a Paris-Nantes TGV were evacuated from their train at Sablé-sur-Sarthe (Sarthe) on Thursday evening, July 11, due to a “strong and unpleasant odor” coming from the toilets, said the SNCF and the prefecture.

“SNCF agents called the fire brigade to carry out immediate checks”the railway company told AFP. About ten people showing symptoms of irritation were examined and placed under observation, but none of them needed to be hospitalized, the SNCF added to AFP.

“The people who were affected no longer have any symptoms. The analyses carried out do not demonstrate any harmfulness of the substances found which could have caused the symptoms.”the prefecture stressed in a press release, without further details.

Three rooms had been made available to the evacuated travellers by the Sablé town hall. Dozens of people had taken shelter there, some lying on the ground on gym mats.

“The SAMU is on site and is taking care of around fifteen travellers who have been isolated and are wearing masks,” specified the local media Sablé News in an article published overnight.

But a large number of passengers preferred to stay in the station while waiting to continue their journey, while others found other means of transport to reach their final destination. The passengers still present were able to leave at 2:19 a.m., noted the AFP photographer at the Sablé-sur-Sarthe station.

“After checks, passengers can return to the train to continue their journey in the carriage not affected by the incident. SNCF has organised the journey to allow passengers to have connections to be taken to their destination.”announced the prefecture.

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 speaking of the presence of“gas in the toilet”, a traveler told AFP.

A passenger questioned by Sablé News said a message was broadcast on the train reporting “an act of vandalism.” “I went to the toilet and when I came out I was bothered by what seemed to me to be tear gas.”another passenger on the affected train told the same media.