15 dead in train crash, south west Poland

Rescuers try to free trapped passengers at crash site: photo - PAP/Andrzej Grygiel

The trains, travelling in from Przemysl to Warsaw and Warsaw to Krakow crashed outside the village of Szczekociny, near Zawiercie, Silesia province.

"People have probably been killed,” chief inspector from the Zawiercie police force, Andrzej Świeboda told the PAP news agency.

"We do not know exactly how many are injured and how many are dead. It is difficult to talk about numbers," Swieboda added.

The train from Warsaw to Krakow was travelling on the wrong track, say witnesses.

President Bronislaw Komorowski has been in contact with Poland's transport minister and the governor of the Silesian province for details on the disaster and rescue mission.

“The president is being kept informed,” said President Komorowski's spokeswoman Joanna Trzaska-Wieczorek.

“All indications are that this is one of the most serious rail accidents in recent years in our country,” Transport Minister Slawomir Nowak told the TVN 24 news channel.

Silesian fire brigade spokesman Jaroslaw Wojtasik informed that 200 fire fighters are attending the crash site. Two Air Rescue helicopters from Warsaw and Wroclaw have also been called to help in rescue operations. (pg)

Last updated 01.45 CET