At least 10 killed as two trains collide in southern Italy

Two trains have collided head on in southern Italy, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens of others. A spokesman for the fire brigade said the two passenger trains collided in the middle of an olive grove. Police said the accident happened on a single stretch of track between the towns of Corato and Andria.

An aerial image showed train carriages were smashed and crumpled by the collision, with debris spread out on either side of the track.

The two four-carriage trains were travelling on a line with a single track and collided at about 11.30am.

National police could not immediately give details about the extent of the crash.

News reports said rescue workers were pulling victims from the rubble, including a small child who was alive and taken to hospital by helicopter. Video images showed ambulances responding to the scene with other rescue workers.

The prime minister, Matteo Renzi, sent his condolences to the families of the victims. “We will not stop until we have clarified what happened,” he told reporters.