Lyon, June 12, 2026 – Rail traffic at Lyon Part-Dieu station experienced significant disruption this Friday morning due to a fire near the tracks and the presence of individuals on the railway lines. This incident led to substantial delays for both TGV and TER trains, causing chaos for commuters and travelers.
Incident Details: Fire and Trespassers on Tracks
The disruption began early this Friday morning. According to multiple sources, including the Italian train company Trenitalia, which also reported delays for its high-speed trains departing from Lyon Part-Dieu and Perrache stations, the incident involved “a fire near the tracks and people on the tracks” close to the SNCF Lyon Part-Dieu station.
SNCF initially referred to an “infrastructure problem” and a “beginning of a fire” near the tracks. This situation prompted some passengers to disembark trains and walk on the rails, further complicating the operational response.
Traffic Resumes Gradually, Delays Persist
By 2:06 PM on Friday, June 12, 2026, SNCF traffic had resumed at Part-Dieu station. However, some delays continued into the early afternoon. Trains bound for Grenoble, Roanne, Chambéry, Brussels, and Lille were still experiencing delays of 15 to 25 minutes.
The initial disruption was attributed to a “small emission of smoke from an electrical installation” located near the Lyon Part-Dieu station. This incident, while minor in its origin, had a cascading effect on the entire rail network.
Impact on Departures and Arrivals
Throughout the morning, station screens at Lyon Part-Dieu indicated a “very gradual resumption of services.” Many passengers were observed waiting in the main hall, where screens displayed numerous delays. For departures:
- A TER train to Ambérieu-en-Bugey (Ain) showed a one-hour delay.
- A TGV to Marseille was also delayed by one hour.
- A TER to Valence was canceled.
- A TGV to Nantes was delayed by 55 minutes.
Other trains to destinations such as Marseille, Saint-Étienne, Lyon Perrache, Montpellier, Brussels, Paris, Bourg-en-Bresse, and Grenoble experienced delays ranging from 15 to 45 minutes.
Arrivals at Lyon Part-Dieu were similarly affected. A TGV arriving from Lausanne, Switzerland, and a TER from Grenoble both recorded delays of up to one hour. Other incoming trains experienced delays between 5 and 55 minutes.
Measures and Future Outlook
SNCF’s traffic information for TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes indicated that while traffic was expected to resume shortly, “many traffic regulations are to be expected.” The incident highlighted the vulnerability of the rail network to unexpected events, even those of a seemingly minor nature.
Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the electrical installation issue and the circumstances that led to passengers being on the tracks to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The focus remains on ensuring the safety and efficiency of rail travel in the region.
