A passenger train has collided with a freight train in eastern Belgium, killing three people and injuring nine others, Sky News reported Monday.

Belgian officials said the train slammed into the back of the goods train, as it was travelling at high speed on the same track.

The Belga news agency reported that several passengers had to be extracted from the wreckage following the "very violent" collision, which derailed two of the passenger train's six carriages.

Nine passengers were injured, with some described as being in a critical condition.

A further 27 people were being cared for. The number of injured was originally said to be 40 - roughly the total number on board.

Emergency services and reinforcements remain at the site of the crash, where a crisis center has also been set up.

The train was travelling from the west to the east of Belgium on the Namur-Liege line when the accident occurred in the municipality of Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse at 9pm (11pm local time). 

Source : MENA