The transport minister in Greece has submitted his resignation after at least 36 people died in a head-on train crash.
Rescue teams are still searching for survivors of the collision, which involved a passenger service and a freight train in the north of the country.
Earlier, the stationmaster in the city of Larissa was arrested by Greek Police, and has been charged with causing deaths through negligence.
Firefighters say around 85 were injured in the crash.
Multiple train carriages derailed and at least three caught fire just before midnight near the Vale of Tempe.
There were about 350 people onboard the late-night service from Athens to Thessaloniki when it hit a freight train at high speed.
Some passengers were apparently thrown through windows because of the impact.
Rescue workers have spent the night searching the wreckage for survivors.
Pained by the loss of life in #Greece. Our thoughts and prayers go to the victims of the deadly train accident and their families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery! pic.twitter.com/85HW24Pth5
— Olta Xhaçka🇦🇱 (@xhacka_olta) March 1, 2023
The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed.
The train left the Greek capital just after 7pm local time.
Athens-based journalist Lydia Emmanouilidou told Newstalk Breakfast many on the train were students.
"About halfway through its route, the train made a scheduled stop at the station of Larissa," she said.
"There was a slight delay there; and shortly after it took off, accelerating at full speed, it collided with a cargo train heading in the opposite direction towards Athens.
"At least 36 people are believed to be dead, dozens of people are injured and have been taken to nearby hospitals.
"Many of those who died and who were hurt are believed to be university students and young people returning home after a long holiday weekend".
'Suddenly bursting into flames'
Ms Emmanouilidou said there have been 'harrowing descriptions' from some survivors.
"They described feeling suddenly jolted, hearing loud bangs, the wagon suddenly bursting into flames.
"People were describing tumbling around the flames in the wagons and struggling to escape.
"Some people said they had to break through windows.
"Now with the morning light we've been seeing some of the images from the scene.
"Several carriages are completely disintegrated; and there are hundreds of firefighters, police, medical professionals on the scene because there are believed to be people still trapped in the wreckage," she added.
Listen back to the full interview below:
