French Interior minister warns train crash death toll likely to rise - RTE.ie

"A catastrophe has taken place," he told reporters at the scene, adding that the station would be shut for three days.

National rail operator SNCF said the train, travelling at peak rush hour around 5 pm, just as many families were heading off on summer holidays, was carrying 370 people and that an investigation was under way into what had happened.

It said six of the train's carriages derailed.

The train had not been scheduled to stop at Bretigny-sur-Orge and passengers told local media it was travelling fast as it approached the station.

TV images showed one of the carriages smashed against a platform at the station, 26km south of Paris. Trapped passengers were still being helped to safety.

Passengers told local media the victims had been crushed or electrocuted, and many of those hurt had been hit by flying glass from the train windows.

Local lawmaker Michel Pouzol said all the carriages would have to be emptied before the final death toll would be known.

The accident came as France is preparing to celebrate its most important national holiday, Bastille Day, on Sunday, and as masses of holiday-makers are heading out of Paris and other big cities.

All trains from Paris' Gare d'Austerlitz were suspended after the accident.