Tag Archives: Paris

French TGV Train Derailed, 10 Killed

Rescuers work at the scene where a high-speed TGV train coach and engine carriage lie in a canal in Eckwersheim near Strasbourg, northeastern France, after derailing on November 14, 2015

Rescuers work at the scene where a high-speed TGV train coach and engine carriage lie in a canal in Eckwersheim near Strasbourg, northeastern France, after derailing on November 14, 2015

A French high speed train carrying technicians derailed near Strasbourg, northeastern France during a test run on November 14, 2015, less than a day after the Paris attacks that killed at least 128 people – please click here.

The train ended up under a bridge in the water of a roughly 40-metre (130-foot) wide canal. killing at least 10 people.

37 people were injured, 12 of them in critical condition while 5 others are missing.

This is the first fatal accident since 1981 when the TGV (“train grande vitesse” or high-speed train) went into service in France.

AFP reported that, the train was running at around 350 kph (217 mph) on a high-speed line as part of testing for the next generation of TGV due to go into service in spring 2016, a source close to the inquiry said.

AFP also reported that Dominique-Nicolas Jane, a senior official in the Alsace region said that the accident happened “because of excessive speed” at Eckwersheim in eastern France as technicians were on board for testing.

However, police said the cause of the crash had not been determined.

125th Anniversary Of The Iconic Eiffel Tower

1889: View at the 'Exposition Universelle' across the River Seine towards the Eiffel Tower, and the 'Globe Celeste'. The Eiffel Tower, built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, was the central focus of both the 1889 and the 1900 Paris Exhibition site.  (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images)

1889: View at the ‘Exposition Universelle’ across the River Seine towards the Eiffel Tower, and the ‘Globe Celeste’. The Eiffel Tower, built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, was the central focus of both the 1889 and the 1900 Paris Exhibition site. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images)

Eiffel Tower or La Tour Eiffel celebrates its 125th anniversary on March 31, 2014.

It was named after an engineer, Gustave Eiffel, the owner of the company that designed and built the tower.

1900: Visitors to the World Exposition walking under the Eiffel Tower, with a view of the Chateau d'Eau in the background, Paris, France.  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1900: Visitors to the World Exposition walking under the Eiffel Tower, with a view of the Chateau d’Eau in the background, Paris, France. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The tower was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair or Exposition Universelle of 1889.

Now it is a global cultural icon of France.

The construction of the iconic tower was officially completed after 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days.

Now let’s take a look at some photos of the Eiffel Tower during its construction…

(Please click the photos for larger images)

Photos: 50th Paris Air Show

A French Air Force Rafale jetfighter manufactured by France's Dassault Aviation performs its demonstration flight during the first day of the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Monday, June 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A French Air Force Rafale jetfighter manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation performs its demonstration flight during the first day of the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Monday, June 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The 50th Paris Air Show started on June 17, 2013 at the Le Bourget airport near Paris with major orders placed for the Airbus A380 super-jumbo jet and for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

However thunder, lightning and rain put a damper somewhat on the air acrobatics.

So did the U.S. budget “sequester,” which prevented U.S. fighter aircraft from appearing at the show for the first time in 20 years.

The 50th Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to June 23, 2013.

Here are some photos during the opening of 50th Paris Air Show …

Please click the photos for larger images:

 

Reflections of Paris

Joanna Lemańska, who goes by the handle MissCoolpics, uses naturally-occurring reflections to capture unique views and unexpected moments of urban life. Particularly interested in architecture and the city, the art historian and self-taught photographer is constantly in search of original angles and fresh perspectives. Here, a few of her futuristic and incredible snapshots in the City of Light.