TEMPE, Greece — A passenger practice and an oncoming freight practice collided in a fiery wreck in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 16 individuals and injuring at the least 85, Fireplace Service officers stated.

A number of automobiles derailed and at the least three burst into flame after the collision close to Tempe, some 380 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens. Hospital officers within the close by metropolis of Larissa stated at the least 25 individuals had critical accidents.

“The evacuation course of is ongoing and is being carried out below very troublesome situations as a result of severity of the collision between the 2 trains,” Fireplace Service spokesman Vassilis Varthakoyiannis stated.

Hospital items used to deal with burn victims had been alerted within the space, he stated, and dozens of ambulances had been concerned within the rescue effort.

Rescuers carrying head lamps labored in thick smoke, pulling items of mangled metallic from the rail automobiles to seek for trapped individuals.

“It was a really highly effective collision. It is a horrible night time. … It’s onerous to explain the scene,” Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the central Thessaly space, instructed state tv.

“The entrance part of the practice was smashed. … We’re getting cranes to return in and particular lifting tools clear the particles and elevate the rail automobiles. There’s particles flung throughout the crash web site.”

Officers stated the military had been contacted to help.

Rail operator Hellenic Practice stated the northbound passenger practice from Athens to Thessaloniki had about 350 passengers on board when the collision occurred.

Passengers who acquired minor accidents or had been unhurt had been transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the incident.

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Gatopoulos reported from Athens.