[3] The TGV was reported to have come to a halt at a red signal near Denguin before proceeding under caution.
[1][4] At 17:38 CEST (15:38 UTC),[5] the TER train ran into the TGV, which was then travelling at 30 kilometres per hour (19 mph).
[6] The TER train was travelling at 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph) at the time of the collision.
SNCF refuted suggestions that high temperatures had caused the TGV to suddenly slow.
[7] It is thought that the TER train received a green signal and had no warning of the TGV ahead until it came in sight.