At least four young women have been killed in a crash in Co Kildare.

Garda sources said the scene was one of “chaos” and that several fatalities had occurred.

Initial indications in the aftermath of the collision were that four of the five women injured had been pronounced dead.

The deceased are all believed to have been friends in their 20s travelling in the same car.

The collision between a car and a van occurred shortly before 10pm at Burtown, Co Kildare, approximately three miles from junction 3 (M9) going towards Athy N78.

“The scene is still being examined and everyone was taken to hospital so identities are still being checked,” said one source.

The same Garda member said those investigating the collision were trying to confirm the identities of the dead women, who were students, as quickly as possible in order that their families could be contacted.

The collision is now the subject of a major investigation and the road where it occurred is expected to remain closed throughout today to facilitate Garda crash scene investigators.

The two men travelling in the VW Transporter van that collided with the women’s car were also undergoing medical treatment at Naas General Hospital late last night.

Post mortems on the remains of the dead women will take place at the same hospital today.

Gardaí initially said five females and two males were treated at the scene for serious injuries and taken to Naas General Hospital.

Witnesses to the collision are asked to contact the gardaí in Athy on 059 8634210, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.