At least eight people have died in a train crash in southern Australia, which has left more than 40 people wounded, 12 seriously.
Ten people are now known to have died in a train crash in southern Australia, which left as many as 50 people wounded, some seriously.
Police inspector Steve Gibson confirmed the death toll had risen from six. "I understand they are still searching the wreckage for missing people," he said.
Police said several people were still unaccounted for as rescuers searched the wreckage near the farming town of Kerang in central Victoria state.
The Melbourne-bound passenger train collided with a lorry in central Victoria state in the early afternoon.
The passenger train was travelling to Melbourne city when it collided with a lorry at a level crossing.
Police said it was not yet clear what had caused the crash.
Police said it was not yet clear what had caused the crash.
Emergency teams are at the scene and wounded passengers were being airlifted to surrounding hospitals.
The most seriously wounded - including a young child - were being airlifted to hospitals in Melbourne 281km (175 miles) away.
'Big gaping hole'
Panic
The train was 40 minutes into its journey from Swan Hill, north of Kerang town, to Melbourne when the collision happened at a level crossing at 1340 (0340GMT).
The train was 40 minutes into its journey from Swan Hill, north of Kerang town, to Melbourne when the collision happened at a level crossing at 1340 (0340GMT).
The impact of the crash was so severe that some carriages were flipped onto their sides, the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says.
The carriage behind mine is just half gone; there's a big gaping hole in the carriage behind Passenger Sue Fyffe
One passenger who had been sitting in first class described the panic on board.
One passenger who had been sitting in first class described the panic on board.
"All we could hear was people screaming and crying and moaning - it was just awful, devastating," Sue Fyffe told Sky News television.
"All we could hear was people screaming and crying and moaning - it was just awful, devastating," Sue Fyffe told Sky News television.
"It was just shocking, it was awful, there was just glass, and elderly ladies sitting there, I helped some of the elderly who had lots of cuts, some of them had broken bones."
"There was just glass, and elderly ladies sitting there, I helped some of the elderly who had lots of cuts, some of them had broken bones."
Ms Fyffe said the truck hit the carriage behind hers.
Ms Fyffe said the truck hit the carriage behind hers.
"The truck just didn't stop, he tried. I don't know whether he didn't see the train until the last minute, but he tried to divert and hit the carriage behind me and we just felt it," she said.
"The truck just didn't stop, he tried. I don't know whether he didn't see the train until the last minute, but he tried to divert and hit the carriage behind me and we just felt it," she said.
"It just felt as if the whole train was going to derail. The carriage behind mine is just half gone; there's a big gaping hole in the carriage behind."
"It just felt as if the whole train was going to derail. The carriage behind mine is just half gone; there's a big gaping hole in the carriage behind."
Airlifted
Airlifted
Victoria state police spokesman Leigh Wadeson announced that the number of confirmed deaths had risen from early reports of six to 10.
At least 12 people were reported to be in a serious condition.
Six ambulance teams as well as two helicopters and two aircraft were immediately sent to the crash scene 10km (six miles) north of Kerang.
Six ambulance teams as well as two helicopters and two aircraft were immediately sent to the crash scene 10km (six miles) north of Kerang.
"We would think that about 50% of those injured will come here to Kerang hospital," hospital chief Robert Jarman said.
Local officials said the level crossing had flashing lights but no safety barriers.
"Probably two or three would be airlifted out to Melbourne because there are some very seriously injured."
Local media reported that the level crossing had flashing lights but no gates.
The transport minister, Lynne Kosky, was due to make a statement later.
The transport minister, Lynne Kosky, was due to make a statement later.
Were you on the train or know anyone who was? Do you live near the scene? If so, we would like to hear from you.
Were you on the train or know anyone who was? Do you live near the scene? If so, we would like to hear from you.
