Passenger train carrying about 350 passengers collided at high speed with freight train, leaving 36 dead and 85 injured in Tempi, central Greece, near the city of Larissa, officials reported on Tuesday evening.
Rescue workers are searching for survivors, searching carriages as paramedics led in-shock passengers away from the scene of the incident.
194 passengers had been taken to Thessaloniki and 20 people were transferred to Larissa, Greek Fire Service spokesman, Vassilis Varthakogiannis said.
The two trains crashed before the Vale of Tempe, which separates Thessaly and Macedonia regions, at least three train cars burst into flames after the collision.
The possible cause of the collision is yet to be clear, as two rail officials are being questioned by the police, but had not been detained, according to CNBC.
The passenger train had been traveling from Athens to Thessaloniki, following a nationwide carnival at the weekend, which ended with a public holiday on Monday.
Hellenic Train the main Greek railway company was recently acquired and operated by Italy’s FS Group, which runs rail services in several European countries.
