A train derailed after colliding with a car Monday morning in western Japan, leaving at least 2 dead, and 139 injured, NHK reported.

Jiji News Agency put the death toll at three.

The seven-carriage train with about 580 passengers aboard collided with a car at a junction at about 9:20 a.m.(0020 GMT) in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, with the first three carriages derailing.

The first carriage rammed into a building after the derailment. A NHK TV report showed the first carriage was seriously mangled, curving in the middle around the corner of the building, and the other two carriages lying across the track. The car was also badly deformed.

About 20 passengers were still trapped in the first carriage, Jiji reported.

The Japanese government has set up an emergent task force headed by Construction and Transport Minister Kazuo Kitagawan to conduct the rescue work.

Source: Xinhua