Germany: At least 4 dead, several injured after train derails in Bavaria

At least four people were killed and 30 more were injured on Friday when a regional passenger train derailed in the southern German state of Bavaria.

Authorities said 15 people were being treated for serious injuries in hospital.

Police said a major emergency services operation involving hundreds of rescue workers was underway at the crash site, just north of the Alpine ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. 

It was not immediately clear what caused the train traveling from Garmisch-Partenkirchen toward Munich to derail at about 12:20 local time (10:20 UTC).

Images from the scene showed several carriages overturned, intertwined with tree branches and partly rolled down an embankment. Around 140 people were believed to have been on board at the time of the accident.

Six rescue helicopters were in use to bring the injured to hospitals for treatment, according to a spokesperson for the ADAC Air Rescue service.

Part of the route between Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been blocked off and traffic is being diverted. A police spokesperson said the train tracks and neighboring highway may have to remain closed into the weekend.