At least six people were killed and tens of others were injured on Friday when a train derailed in Bretigny-sur-Orge French Interior Ministry Manuel Valls told reporters on Friday, as reported by CNN.

As of late Friday, it remained unknown what caused the derailment that left from the Paris Austerlitz station and bound for the city of Limoges, on Friday, Guillaume Pepy, the president of SNCF, the French national railway company said.

Passengers were still being rescued around 7 p.m., and firefighters were on the scene and assisting victims. About 370 people were aboard the train, he said.

"The first thought we all have is one of solidarity toward the victims and their families, and we feel a strong emotion because rail accidents are upsetting to the whole public," Pepy said.

SNCF characterized what happened Friday as an accident and said rail traffic had been interrupted.

"There were plenty of people on the platforms because of it being a holiday weekend," said Jean Paul Huchon, Socialist president in the IIe de France area.

Judicial and transport ministry inquiries as well as an SNCF investigation have been launched.