Two commuter trains collided head-on near the remote Bavarian town of Bad Aibling, around 35 miles south west of Munich, causing numerous carriages to derail. The cause is still unclear and police have said that investigations are being made.
The collision happened at 6:48am local time (5:28am GMT), with at least 10 confirmed fatalities and 150 more injured, some severely, with these figures expected to rise. Many passengers were trapped inside the carriages and had to be cut out of the wreckage and transported across a river to receive medical care, police said. Hundreds of emergency personnel from Germany and neighbouring Austria were on the scene looking through the wreckage and aiding the evacuation of the injured.
Firefighters and emergency doctors work at the site of a train accident near Bad Aibling, southern GermanyPeter Kneffel/AFPRescue workers stand near the wreckage of two trains that collided head-on several hours before in Bavaria near Bad Aibling, GermanyAlexander Hassenstein/GettyMembers of emergency services carry out rescue work next to a body of a victim at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersMembers of emergency services prepare an injured person for transportation by helicopter from the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersRescuers stand in front of a carriage at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling in southwestern GermanyJosef Reisner/ ReutersMembers of emergency services work at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersThe wreckage of a carriage is pictured at the site of two crashed trains near Bad Aibling in southwestern GermanyJosef Reisner/ ReutersMembers of emergency services work at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersMembers of emergency services stand next to a corpse of a victim in a body bag at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/Reuters
The trains' operator, Meridian, is part of French passenger-transport firm Transdev, which is jointly owned by state-owned bank CDC and water and waste firm Veolia. The rail line is commonly used by commuters heading to work in Munich, the DPA news agency reported.
Speaking from the crash scene, federal transport minister Alexander Dobrindt expressed his deep sorrow for the incident and said that his thoughts were with the family members of the dead and the injured, stating: "We need to find out know what happened, if the cause of the crash was based on the technology or human failure."
Alexander Dobrindt, German Minister of Transport, arrives at the site where two trains collided head-on several hours before in Bavaria, GermanyJan Hetfleisch/ Getty Images
Members of emergency services on the river next to the crash site near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersMembers of emergency services on the river next to the crash site near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersGerman police officers collect and register personal belongings of crash victims at the site of the crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersMembers of emergency services carry the corpse of a victim in a body bag at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersMembers of emergency services work at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersA police photographer leaves the carriage at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersMembers of emergency services carry a body bag at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersCars of firefighters and ambulances parked along a road near Bad Aiblingl, south west GermanyMichael Dalder/ReutersEmergency Rescue workers carrying a victim at the wreckage of two trains that collided head-on several hours before in Bavaria near Bad Aibling, GermanyAlexander Hassenstein/GettyRescue workers stand near the wreckage of two trains that collided head-on several hours before in Bavaria near Bad Aibling, GermanyAlexander Hassenstein/GettyFirefighters and emergency doctors work at the site of a train accident near Bad Aibling, south west GermanySven Hoppe/AFPA rescue helicopter flies to the site of a train accident near Bad Aibling, southern GermanyPaul Winterer/ Getty ImagesFirefighters and emergency doctors work at the site of a train accident near Bad Aibling, southern GermanyPeter Kneffel/ Getty ImagesGerman police officers stand at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling in southwestern GermanyMichael Dalder/ Reuters
