Several reported killed in German train derailment

Several people have been killed after a passenger train derailed in south-west Germany, German media report.

Police told German news agency dpa that at least three people were also injured in the crash near Riedlingen near Stuttgart in the south-west. Reports say there had been a storm in the area shortly before.

Around 100 people were onboard the train when at least two carriages derailed in a forested area around 18:10 local time (17:10 BST), dpa reported.

German Chancellor Freidrich Merz said he “mourn[ed] the victims” and offered his “deepest sympathy” to their families in a post on X.

He said he was in close contact with the interior and transport ministers, and has requested that they provide the emergency services with all the support they need.

Images of the crash show carriages turned on their sides and heavy emergency service presence. Fallen trees can also be seen at the scene.

Reports say the train was travelling on a 90 km (55 mile) route between Sigmaringen and Ulm.