A passenger train has derailed in southwest Germany. Several people have died, security sources told the German news agency DPA.

The accident occurred near the town of Zwiefaltendorf, approximately 85 kilometers south of the city of Stuttgart.

Photos from the scene show several train carriages that have extensive damage. Several of the carts lie on their side.

According to the TV channel ZDF, a passenger train has derailed. Several people were injured, according to the federal police. The DPA news agency reports that several people have died in the accident.

The accident occurred around 6:10 p.m., according to the German newspaper Bild.

According to the newspaper, there were around 100 passengers on board the train when the accident occurred. The derailed train was on its way from the town of Sigmarinen to Ulm, writes SPIEGEL.

Images from the scene show firefighters searching for passengers. It is not yet known how many people have died and been injured. It is also unclear what caused the derailment.

Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) is on his way to the scene of the accident, a spokesperson told Bild.