A speeding passenger train crashed into another waiting at a station in eastern India early this morning, killing at least 60 people and injuring about 165.
The crash occurred when the Uttar Banga Express rammed into the stationary Vananchal Express at Sainthia, West Bengal.
The standing train was waiting to leave Sainthia station in Birbhum district, 260km north of the West Bengal state capital Kolkata, when the express slammed into its rear.
The force of the impact lifted one wagon clear off the tracks and left it mounted on an overhead passenger bridge.
It was the second major accident in the state of West Bengal in two months.
In May, a train crash, blamed on sabotage by Maoist rebels, killed more than 70 people. The rebels denied the charge.
Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee and railway board chairman Vivek Sahai refused to rule out sabotage, but West Bengal Civil Defence Minister Srikumar Mukherjee said there was no evidence of foul play.
An investigation has been launched to find out how both trains came to be on the same track.
Television images showed rescue workers cutting through the wreckage to pull out survivors.
Some passengers were seen climbing out of emergency exit windows.
'We are still finding out the details and we will take all necessary steps and action and find out who is behind this calamity,' Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters.
She announced compensation of 500,000 rupees for the families of the dead and 100,000 rupees for the injured.
Heavy lifting equipment has been rushed to the scene as well as soldiers and paramilitary forces to help maintain order and assist with the rescue operations.
