370 people were traveling in two colliding trains, passenger and commercial. Author: Reuters

A train derailment between Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece’s two main urban centers, killed at least 36 people and injured 66 on Tuesday evening, fire officials said.

The fateful figure changes as the rescue progresses, and authorities fear the death toll will rise as the operation continues.

According to official figures, 66 people were seriously injured and were taken to nearby hospitals, six of whom are in intensive care. Other less seriously injured people were taken to clinics in Katerini and Thessaloniki.

A total of 370 people were traveling in two colliding trains, one passenger and the other commercial, the fire service said, citing SKAI TV channel. Among the wounded are several minors who were traveling on a night train between Athens and Thessaloniki.

The two trains collided shortly before midnight at Evangelismos. Due to the severity of the collision, the remains of both were thrown a long distance, according to emergency services sources and press reports.

According to local press reports, all indications are that trains belonging to the Hellenic Train company were moving at high speed at the time of the impact, so the drivers and other crew members were killed in the accident.

Early estimates point to human error as the two trains are traveling on the same track, but there is also the possibility that one train could have derailed and crashed into another on a different track, Greek TV reported.

About 250 people who survived the crash with no or minor injuries were taken by bus to Thessaloniki, located 130 kilometers north of the crash site.

According to Onlarissa local media, two hospitals in the Larissa area were supposed to receive many of the wounded.

Early Wednesday morning, rescuers were still looking for survivors.

Source: Juventud Rebelde