Cat at Gare de Lyon hit by train: Journalist Olivier Benkemoun files complaint against SNCF

Paris – 02.07.2026: Journalist Olivier Benkemoun says he has filed a criminal complaint against the SNCF after his twelve-year-old cat Gina was reportedly fatally struck by a train on Monday at Paris’s Gare de Lyon. Benkemoun described the incident on Wednesday on X. According to him, the animal escaped from a bag on the platform and ended up on the tracks. His wife and his son were present. Independent investigative information is not yet available.

The SNCF said via social media and in media reports that it was affected and that employees had tried to save the animal. At the same time, the company pointed to strict safety rules along the tracks: entering the track area is life-threatening because of third rails and approaching trains; interventions are subject to clear protocols to avoid further risks to passengers and staff. Whether and which measures were triggered in the specific case remained initially unclear.

Animal welfare organizations reacted quickly. The Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis called for clarification and referred to previous disputes at Parisian stations. Particularly remembered is the case of the cat Neko at Gare Montparnasse in 2023, which sparked legal debates about responsibilities and operational safety. The now-announced complaint could reopen these questions: What duties do rail operators have regarding animals on the tracks, and how should these be balanced with the safety of people and the protection of rail operations?

From a legal perspective, it will likely be examined whether operational duties of care were violated or whether the railway’s actions complied with applicable safety regulations. The public prosecutor’s office is responsible for initial steps; it will decide whether to open an investigation and which evidence – such as camera footage, internal protocols, or witness statements – will be used. Until official statements are made, information from social media should be considered unverified.

The incident prompted a wide resonance on networks. For travelers, the case raises fundamental questions of everyday station life: How can rapid response routes be reconciled with the safety requirements of heavily frequented hubs?Observers advocate transparent procedures for incidents involving animals, clear information chains between platform, control center and locomotive crew, and guidance for passengers on the safe transport of pets. The SNCF recently pointed out in general terms that procedures for incidents are regularly reviewed. Concrete results on the chain of events at the Gare de Lyon are still pending.