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More than 50 injured in train crash at Barcelona's Estacio de Franca

At least 56 people have been injured, one seriously, after a commuter train ploughed into the buffers at a station in Barcelona.

The force of the crash at the Estacio de Franca in the north of the city crumpled the front of the carriage and tore off a sheet of metal.

Emergency services said 53 of the injured, including the driver, were taken to hospital, while paramedics treated the others at the scene.

Many passengers were standing ready to get off the train at the time of the collision.

Passenger Said Saharaui said: "When the train arrived at Franca station it applied the brakes, but at the same time it made a noisy crash.

"The passengers were thrown to the floor.

"Even though the train did brake, it wasn't until the crash when it reached a full stop."

The regional rail service had travelled from the southern coastal town of Sant Vicenc de Calders, some 44 miles from Barcelona.

It crashed on reaching its destination at 7.15am local time (6.15am UK time).

The state-run railway company ADIF said an investigation has been launched into the cause of the accident.

The accident came as RENFE rail workers staged a one-day strike.

The affected train was running as part of minimum services ordered by the public works ministry.