Human error did not cause a packed train carrying hundreds of passengers to derail outside Paris in a crash that left at least six people dead, France's transport minister has said.
Frederic Cuvillier said Saturday that it was unclear what did cause the accident, but authorities are looking into a possible mechanical error in the points system as well as other possibilities.
The seven-carriage service was about 20 minutes into a three-hour journey to Limoges when it crashed 12 miles south of the capital at about 5.15pm local time on Friday.
Part of the metal roof over the platform was crushed as carriages slid towards and smashed into Bretigny-sur-Orge station.
The French interior minister has called it a 'catastrophe' An investigation into the cause is under way after the train, with 385 passengers on board, came off the tracks.
Interior minister Manuel Valls said at least six people had been killed. He added that nine people were gravely injured, and warned the number of dead could rise. In all, nearly 200 people were hurt.
A large, heavyweight crane is expected to be brought in later to try to lift one of the carriages which toppled over.
Sky's Ian Woods, at the scene, said: "They don't know for certain, but there may well still be people underneath that carriage they haven't been able to get to.
It's unclear whether anyone at the station was hurt by the impact of the train and flying debris, or whether all of those injured were on the train," he added.
Seven carriages piled up The Friday night crash was France's deadliest in years, but Mr Cuvillier said it could have been worse and praised the driver who sent out an alert quickly, preventing a pile up.
The head of the SNCF rail authority, Guillaume Pepy, said the third and fourth carriages initially came off the track, then knocked the others off.
He called it a "catastophe", adding: "Some cars simply derailed, others are leaning, others fell over."
Footage from the scene showed crushed metal on the platform and debris from the crash clogging up the stairs.
Emergency services went on red alert with 300 firefighters, 20 paramedic teams and eight helicopters deployed to the area.
All Paris regional hospitals were put on standby to deal with casualties.
Rescuers pull survivors from the wreckage. Pic: @aishakurdish Within hours French President Francois Hollande was at the scene and said: "I want to express our solidarity to all the families.
"It will take a long time to identify the victims. Investigations are under way and as soon as possible we will name them and inform their families - I understand their anxiety and pain."
Briton Graham Hope, a passenger in the third carriage, told Sky News: "The carriage I was in was bouncing for several seconds before we came to a halt.
"Everyone was very calm. A couple of people were quite concerned, but we worked together to get out of the carriage.
"When I got out we could see the rest of the train was further up the line ... I would be very surprised if people got out of the front carriage unscathed."
The train derailed at Bretigny-sur-Orge A witness in a nearby train, 19-year-old Bazgua El Mehdi told Le Parisien newspaper: "I heard a loud noise. A cloud of sand covered everything. Then the dust dissipated.
"I thought it was a freight train, but then we saw the first casualties ... many passengers on the (train) were crying."
A police source said: "The train arrived at the station at high speed. It split in two for an unknown reason. Part of the train continued to roll while the other was left on its side on the platform."
But a passenger speaking on France's BFM television said the train was going at a normal speed and was not meant to stop at Bretigny-sur-Orge.
The station is expected to remain closed for several days during the investigation and clear-up operation.
It comes as France prepares to celebrate its most important national holiday, Bastille Day, on Sunday.
Many people have been heading out of Paris and other big cities to see their families or to go on holiday.
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