Rescue operation underway as passenger train derails in southern England

By Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN

London (CNN) — UK police and emergency services are on scene after a passenger train derailed in southern England, authorities said Thursday.

The incident happened around 3:54 p.m. (10:54 a.m. ET) near Lewes railway station in East Sussex, around 70 miles south of London, according to British Transport Police.

“We’re responding alongside paramedics and the fire service and will provide more information as soon as we can,” BTP said on X.

Images posted to social media appear to show several train carriages on their sides, with people standing on top of them.

There are “no serious injuries or fatalities,” according to multiple British news outlets citing a source from the UK Department for Transport.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was working with other emergency services at the scene and advised the public to avoid the area.

UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by reports of the derailment and thanked emergency responders working at the scene to support those impacted.

“We are working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers,” she added.

There was no immediate indication of the cause of the derailment. Some train services had been canceled and others were running at lower speeds due to a heatwave – temperatures in some parts of southern England reached 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

Rail customers have been warned of “major disruption” for the next several hours, according to National Rail.

“No trains can run through Lewes and Haywards Heath until further notice. You will need to use an alternative route to reach your destination,” it said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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