A local passenger train and a goods train collided head-on in the state of Saxony-Anhalt late on January 29, near the city of Magdeburg.

The cause of the crash, which left 43 injured, 18 seriously, is unclear.

The passenger train, the HarzElbeExpress, was travelling between Magdeburg and Halberstadt.

Several carriages were derailed after the collision near the village of Hordorf.

"Rescue operations are still ongoing. The death toll may well rise further," said regional police spokesman Frank Kuessner said.