4 killed in train-car collision in France

A train collided with a car on Monday at a railroad crossing in France's northeastern department of the Marne, killing four people and injured several others, local media reported.

The accident happened at about 09:45 local time (0745 GMT) on Monday when the car was passing a railway crossing in Avenay-Val-d'Or commune, and would have forced the security barriers, local broadcaster Europe 1 reported.

According to preliminary investigation, the car was immobilized in the middle of the track at the time of the collision, it said.

A woman and three minors in the car lost their lives. Four people on board of the train suffered slight injuries.

Rescuers have been mobilized, while an inquiry was opened to determine the cause of the accident.