A loss of traction power at Montanay (Rhône) on 25 May brought two high-speed services to a stand on the Sud-Est LGV, around 20 km north of Lyon. The incident affected an Inoui Paris–Nice and an Ouigo Lille–Marseille, both halted from 16:00 without HVAC, as ambient temperatures reached 32°C.
Given the health risk to passengers, SNCF authorised evacuation to track level, with firefighters and civil protection teams assisting hundreds of travellers, distributing water and opening a nearby sports hall as a refuge. Diesel locomotives were dispatched to haul both trainsets clear of the de-energised section.
Services resumed at around 22:00, each accumulating more than six hours of delay. SNCF Réseau has launched an investigation into the catenary failure and announced exceptional compensation for all affected passengers on the Sud-Est axis.
The incident also sparked controversy: an Ouigo passenger was fined €200 for opening an emergency exit to ventilate the coach, a penalty later suspended by SNCF. A staff member allegedly issued verbal threats, a matter now under internal investigation.