A major rescue operation is underway in the alpine town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in southern Germany since a passenger train derailed on Friday.
At least four have died – and 14 people are still missing, reports the TV channel BR.
During a difficult and complicated rescue operation, rescue workers search for victims on the crashed train. So far, four deaths have been found among the overturned carriages, while 14 people are still missing, the police spokesman states according to BR. About 30 people are injured.
The regional train was on its way north from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Munich when several carriages derailed at lunchtime on Friday for unclear reasons. Among the passengers, there must have been many children, according to the TV channel.
Several of the train’s two-storey carriages are overturned on the side of the track and rescue workers have climbed into the train using ladders to rescue people who were inside.
Late in the evening, a huge crane must also have been requested from Munich, which should be able to lift the carriages away.
It is still unclear how the accident could have happened, but investigators currently assess that it is not a case of sabotage, says Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann.