(17:45) Some fifty passengers are reported as slightly injured.

The accident has taken place near the city of Montpellier, rescuers said.

A tree has fallen over the rails used by a regional train linking Nîmes and Montpellier.

It was allegedly uprooted by severe hailstorm.

(17:35) A train has crashed in the south of France. 

According to media reports, 10 passengers are said to be in critical condition.

More uldates to follow. 

#BREAKING Train crashes in southern France, around 10 'severely injured': rescuers

— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 17, 2016

#Montpellier accident ter évacuation des blessés en cours pic.twitter.com/5RbmEnJihh

— R DE HULLESSEN (@RDEHULLESSEN) August 17, 2016