St-Michel-De-Maurienne Train Derailment Of 1917

In this documentary, we explore the St-Michel-De-Maurienne train derailment of 1917, which killed over 600 people.Show more

This tragic event marks the first and deadliest train disaster in French history and remains one of the most infamous railway accidents in history.

This documentary offers a unique look into the history and deadliest train derailment in French history, and sheds light on the mounting safety concerns that led to its occurrence. Watch it now to learn more!

On December 12, 1917, during World War I, the tragic "Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne Train Derailment" occurred in France, resulting in the deadliest man-made railway catastrophe ever recorded.

After the Battle of Caporetto, British and French troops in Italy were granted leave for the holidays by General Émile Fayolle, boosting morale after the 1917 French Army mutinies. In November 1917, arrangements were made to transport French soldiers from Vicenza, Italy, to France on military train number 612. The train was assembled in Italy, consisting of 19 coaches, including baggage vans and wooden cars reinforced with metal frames, measuring 350 meters in length and weighing 526 tons.

The train had an imbalance and lacked a second locomotive due to requisition for a munitions train. As it descended a steep gradient, it accelerated uncontrollably, derailed, and ignited a fire fueled by various combustibles carried by soldiers. Over 424 identifiable bodies, 135 unrecognizable remains, and 37 bodies scattered along the railway were recovered. Only 183 men from the train survived, with fatality estimates ranging from 675 to 800 casualties.

The tragedy remained a military secret for 90 years, with minimal press coverage due to French officers' involvement. In 1923, a memorial was dedicated in Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne's cemetery, and in 1961, victims' remains were transferred to Lyon-La Doua national military cemetery. In 1998, a monument was erected at La Saussaz. This disaster stands as the deadliest rail disaster in French history and the second deadliest globally, resulting from operational error rather than an ongoing natural disaster.

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Credit And Sources:
👉All Videos: pexels.com, pixabay.com, TC Rail @ Youtube, Marine Corp Film Archive @ Youtube, National WW1 Museum And Memorial @ Youtube, Bennett Brook Railway @ Youtube and Footage Archive - Videos From The Past @ Youtube
👉All images: Le Dauphiné Libéré, railtarget.eu, nprymuseum.org, dofaq.co, denik.cz, pinterest.com, derelictplaces.co.uk, gwpder.org, iwm.org.uk, cavafy.onassis.org, maurienne.fr, vintag.es, pinterest.co.uk, cartorum.fr, historicenglandservices.org.uk, bbc.
👉All Music: Frightmare by Jimena Contreras / Youtube Studio / Audio Library / Royalty Free Content.
👉Entirely written, created and edited by: Fabulous Disasters. This video was made using Clipchamp (Free Version) by Microsoft. All content is for entertainment purpose only.
👉September 2023.