An aerial view of the site of the crash between a passenger train and cargo train in central Greece.  The circumstances of the collision remained unclear [Giannis Floulis/Reuters]

Athens, March 1 (RHC)-- At least 36 people have been killed and dozens injured after a head-on collision between a passenger and cargo train in Greece.  The crash took place outside the central city of Larissa late on Tuesday when a passenger train heading from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki collided with a cargo train travelling from Thessaloniki leaving three cars in flames.

“At least 36 people have been found dead so far,” a fire services spokesman told the media at a press conference.  The fire brigade said the circumstances of the crash remained unclear, with rescue efforts continuing at the site.  At least 85 people were hurt, officials said.

“The collision was very strong,” Konstantinos Agorastos, the governor of the Thessaly region told SKAI TV, adding the first four cars of the passenger train had derailed, while the first two cars were “almost completely destroyed-”

Agorastos said about 250 passengers, some with minor injuries, had been evacuated safely by bus to Thessaloniki about 130 kilometres (80 miles) away.  SKAI showed footage of derailed and crushed cars with cargo containers flipped over and crash debris strewn across the road.  Rescue workers with high-powered torches and headlamps were searching for trapped passengers.

A major emergency response was under way involving police and firefighters.  Hospital units used to treat burn victims in the area had been alerted, and dozens of ambulances dispatched.