Train accident in Greece kills at least 36

At least 36 people were killed and another 85 injured after a collision between two trains caused a derailment near the Greek city of Larissa, authorities said.

A fire services spokesman confirmed that three carriages skipped the tracks just before midnight after the trains -- one for freight and the other carrying 350 passengers –- collided about halfway along the route between Athens and Thessaloniki.

"At least 36 people have been found dead so far," spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told a press conference, adding that efforts to rescue people still trapped were ongoing.

"Eighty-five people were injured and transported to nearby hospitals."

Greek media are calling the crash the "worst train accident that Greece has ever known".

About 150 firefighters and 40 ambulances were mobilised for the response, according to the Greek emergency services. Cranes and mechanical personnel were also deployed to try to remove debris and right overturned vehicles.

"I've never seen anything like this in my entire life. It's tragic. Five hours later, we are finding bodies," said an exhausted rescuer emerging from the wreckage where he and his team were working.

One train carriage was completely crushed, making the rescuers' work particularly difficult, while smoke and flames emerged from other cars.

An emergency government meeting was organised after the crash, and Greek health minister Thanos Plevris has gone to the scene while interior minister Takis Theodorikakos supervises the response from a crisis management centre.