French high-speed train derailment due to 'excessive speed,' 10 dead

ECKWERSHEIM, France, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- At least 10 people died and dozens were injured in the high-speed train derailment in Eckwersheim, France, that occurred during a test run on Saturday.

The Train à Grande Vitesse, France's high-speed train service, locomotive derailed, caught fire and partly plunged into a canal due to "excessive speed," according to officials. Eckwersheim is near the eastern French city of Strasbourg, bordering Germany.

The train was carrying 49 railway technicians at the time of derailment on a new Paris-Strasbourg line. More than 10 are in serious condition. The new rail line is set to open next year.

French junior transport minister Alain Vidalies and Ecology Minister Segolene Royal visited the scene of the derailment, which comes at a time when France is still reeling from the coordinated attacks carried out by the Islamic State militant group.