Many are feared dead following the train derailment (Picture: EPA)

At least 35 people are believed to have been killed after a high-speed train derailed in Spain.

The derailment of the train, which was headed to El Ferrol from Madrid, toppled carriages on their side and left at least one torn open.

Up to 50 people were said to be injured and emergency crews were working to free passengers trapped inside the wrecked carriages.

The crash happened as the crowded train was leaving the city of Santiago de Compostela, in northern Spain, the Renfe rail company reported.


Emergency crews were attempting to free trapped passengers (Picture: EPA)

‘It was going so quickly. It seems that on a curve the train started to twist, and the wagons piled up one on top of the other,’ said passenger Ricardo Montesco.



‘A lot of people were squashed… I saw corpses.’

Other witnesses reported an explosion but police and fire crews could not be contacted for comment.

While officials have not yet given a death toll, Spanish National TV showed footage of what appeared to be several bodies covered by blankets alongside the tracks.