Despite a heavy downpour, the rescue operation is continuing. Sixty injured passengers have been admitted to various hospitals at Oros, Ratnagiri, Kankavli and Goa, Konkan Railway sources told a news agency in Vaibhavwadi (Maharashtra).

About 150 army personnel were engaged in rescue operations, which have been hampered due to incessant rains, say officials. Badly mangled coaches have been lifted with the help of cranes but the train's engine is still trapped under the debris.

Most passengers have been rescued and chances of finding more persons trapped inside are remote, the officials add. "It will take another 24 hours to clear the tracks."

The mishap occurred when the engine of the train hit a boulder that had fallen on the track from a hillock. Under the impact, the engine derailed while four bogies telescoped over each other. Almost simultaneously, there was a landslide, say authorities.

This is the first major accident on the Konkan Railway network.