Bangladesh: At least 16 dead and dozens injured after two trains collide head-on

At least 16 people are dead and dozens are injured after two trains packed with commuters collided in Bangladesh.

Government officials say at least 40 are injured and are being treated in hospitals after the head-on collision on Tuesday.

A local news agency said the number of the injured could be closer to 100 people.

The collision happened in eastern Bangladesh on Tuesday morning when the two trains, the Udayan Express and Turna Nishita, approached on the same track from opposite directions.

TV footage showed fire service rescuers were pulling victims from the twisted coaches.

Local police chief Shayamal Kanti Das said the collision took place in Brahmanbaria district. The area is 82 kilometers (51 miles) east of the capital, Dhaka.

Mr Das said authorities were still trying to ascertain how many were injured.