At least 65 killed in Indian train crash

Maoist rebels are suspected of sabotaging a high-speed train in eastern India killing at least 65 people after it smashed into the path of a goods train.

Local television showed the mangled wreckage of capsized carriages across the tracks and the death toll could rise as many passengers were still trapped.

At least 104 people were injured.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said a bomb had hit the train, but police said they were also looking at other sabotage methods such as the removal of the tracks' "fish plates".

The crash occurred in West Bengal state in an area known to be a stronghold of Maoist rebels. The group, who say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and landless, have attacked trains in the past and have stepped up their efforts in recent months.

Vivek Sahay, a senior railway offical, said: "The driver heard a loud noise which indicates there could be a blast. A detail investiogation will reveal more, but definitely there was lot of tinkering done to the tracks. It was definitely sabotage."

The passenger train, which was going to Mumbai from Calcutta, was derailed in the Jhargram area at around 1:30 am (2000 GMT).

Three of its coaches were then hit by a cargo train coming from the other direction.