At least nine people were killed and scores more injured, police say, after two passenger trains collided in the German state of Bavaria.
The head-on crash happened near Bad Aibling, a spa town about 60km (37 miles) south-east of Munich.
The trains' operator said both trains had partially derailed and were wedged into each other.
Emergency teams, some winched in by helicopter, worked for hours to free casualties from the wreckage.
At least nine people were killed and scores more injured, police say, after two passenger trains collided in the German state of Bavaria.
The head-on crash happened near Bad Aibling, a spa town about 60km (37 miles) south-east of Munich.
The trains' operator said both trains had partially derailed and were wedged into each other.
Emergency teams, some winched in by helicopter, worked for hours to free casualties from the wreckage.
Rainer Scharf, of the German federal police, said that "given the severity of the accident, we believe the two regional trains collided head-on at speed that was not inconsiderable".
Regional train company Meridian said in a statement that "a tragic accident" had occurred on a single-track route between Rosenheim and Holzkirchen at about 07:00 local time (06:00 GMT).
Bernd Rosenbach, managing director of Bayerische Oberlandbahn, which operates Meridian trains, told reporters: "The accident is a huge shock for us. We are doing everything we can to help the travellers, relatives and workers."
Technical manager Fabian Amini added: "Our thanks go to the emergency services and workers who gave their help so quickly."
The scene of the crash is close to the Mangfall river in a hilly and densely wooded region. Casualties were being evacuated by boat and by helicopter.
Several hundred emergency services personnel were at the scene and rescue teams from nearby Austria were also helping, local media said.
By midday, police said all casualties had been removed from the wreckage.
The Munich blood bank issued an appeal for blood donors on its Facebook page(in German).
Although the trains were carrying commuters, local carnival holidays meant no schoolchildren were on board, according to reports.
Roads around the scene have been closed and the railway line between Holzkirchen and Rosenheim is blocked.
German Justice Minister Heiko Maas tweeted (in German): "Really awful news from #badaibling - our thoughts are with the victims and injured. Thanks to the rescue workers".
