Several dead, about 100 injured in German train collision

At least eight people are dead and another 150 injured, 10 of them seriously, after two commuter trains collided head on near the southern German town of Bad Aibling.

One of the trains derailed, police in the southern state of Bavaria said on Tuesday.

"There are around 100 injured, a number of seriously injured and several dead," a police spokesperson told Reuters news agency.

Four people are dead and 150 have been injured in a head-on collision between two trains in Germany. Photo: AAP

At least eight helicopters were transporting people with serious injuries to nearby hospitals. Those with less severe injuries were being treated by rescue workers at the scene.

A lifeguard service was taking patients to the opposite side of the nearby Mangfall river for treatment.

Rescuers and journalists stand in front of a rescue helicopter near Bad Aibling in southwestern Germany, February 9, 2016. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

The reason for the head-on collision, which occurred at 0550 GMT (1650 AEDT) and involved two trains operated by the private train operator Meridian, remains unclear.

News break - February 9