35 dead, 200 injured in Spanish train crash: media

Up to a dozen people died when a train derailed in northwestern Spain on Wednesday, media reports quoting witnesses said.

At least 35 people died and 200 people were injured when a train derailed in Galicia in northwestern Spain on Wednesday, the president of the regional government said.

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"The number of dead will not be lower than 35," Alberto Nunez Feijoo told news radio Cadena Ser, adding there were some 200 injured.

The Renfe railway company earlier spoke of "several dead and injured" in the accident near the city of Santiago de Compostela, but could not immediately give a precise toll.

The train which carried 238 passengers originated in Madrid and was bound for the northwestern town of Ferrol.

"It derailed near the station of Santiago de Compostela but we don't yet know why," Renfe said.

The accident happened around 9.00pm (19:00 GMT) and first pictures published by the press showed parts of the locomotive's roof in flames.