The train driver was himself among those hurt but being the sole employee of state railways company SNCF on board had to help take care of passengers. Unions said the incident highlighted what they say is a problem of understaffing on trains, notably the absence of ticket inspectors on some lines. Since Friday, staff have been exercising their "right to withdraw" their labour - a clause that allows workers to walk off the job in case of "clear and present danger to their life or health."

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2019