A train carrying’many’ youngsters derailed in the German Alps today, killing at least four people and injuring scores more.
Around 12.15 p.m., the train was traveling north from the Alps to Munich when many carriages slid off the tracks and overturned near Burgrain, near the resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
According to police, four people were killed, while 60 others were injured, including at least 16 in critical condition.
According to local daily Bild,’many schoolchildren’ were on the train, heading home for the holidays after finishing their finals today.
‘All age groups’ are among the injured, police told local news site BR24, with ‘people being pulled through windows’ to safety.
It was unclear how many individuals were on board the train at the time of the incident or what triggered the crash.
Six rescue helicopters, as well as dozens of ambulances, fire engines, cranes, and other rescue equipment, have been dispatched to the location.
The railway between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberau has been stopped north of the accident scene while the rescue is carried out.
Social media images showed carriages of a double-decker regional train caught between tree branches and rolling down an embankment, as well as people being carried away on stretchers and standing on the tracks.
According to authorities, a large emergency services operation was still underway, and the rail route was currently closed.
Since June 1, when a ticket allowing Germany-wide travel became available, regional trains have seen an increase in passenger numbers.