An express train going from Guwahati to Bangalore and another passenger train derailed Sunday evening after a collision in Malda district, 347 kilometres north of the state capital Kolkata. [Photo/Xinhua]

NEW DELHI - One person was killed and at least 35 people were injured when the engine and six coaches of an express train derailed and were hit by a passenger train on the adjacent tracks in West Bengal, eastern India, Sunday evening, said local railway officials.

Four coaches of the local train also ran off the tracks as it collided with the derailed train of Bangalore-bound Guwaharti- Bangalore Express near Jamirghata station at Malda district of West Bengal, said an Eastern Railway spokesman.

Railway officials said one person was confirmed dead, but the toll could rise as there were four or five people still trapped in the derailed coaches. But most of the passengers have been rescued.

However, Indian Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said the death was not related to the accident, as the body was lying on the track, according to Indo-Asian News Service.

The accident occurred around 19:00 pm when the engine and two parcel vans, one luggage van and three sleeper class coaches of the Guwahati-Bangalore Express derailed and fell on the adjacent track.

Only the engine was hit by the Azimganj-Malda Town passenger train coming from the opposite direction.

The accident took place weeks after two trains derailed in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and eastern state of Assam. More than 60 people were killed and hundreds more injured in the accidents.