One train crashed into the rear of another train at around 8 p.m. last night in northeast China, leaving five carriages off the track and six passengers dead, according to the Ministry of Railways.

At 7:52 p.m, the K127 passenger train from northwestern Xi'an city to northeastern Changchun city collided into the tail of a cargo train from Changchun to northeastern coastal city Dalian. Thirty passengers were injured and rushed to hospital, the ministry said.

Ministry sources said a vice railways minister had rushed to the scene after the accident to help organize the rescue work and ensure the traffic on the Changchun-Dalian section can be restoredas early as possible.

Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun had ordered local railways departments to probe into the accident thoroughly, the sources added.