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The train crash south of Paris which left six people dead may have been caused by a fault in the rail tracks, says the state rail company.

SNCF said a metal bar connecting two rails had become detached close to Bretigny-sur-Orge station.

Transport Minister Frederic Cuvillier has praised the driver, saying his quick actions averted a worse accident.

Those killed were four men and two women, aged between 19 and 82. Thirty people were injured, eight seriously.

A minute's silence was held across France's train network at noon on Saturday to commemorate the victims.

The train had just left Paris on Friday afternoon and was heading for Limoges when it derailed at Bretigny-sur-Orge at 17:14 (15:14 GMT) on Friday.

French rail company SNCF says that a piece of metal connecting two rails outside Bretigny-sur-Orge station caused the train to leave the tracks.