Dang Wangi police chief Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said all the 213 victims have been taken to Kuala Lumpur hospital.

He said the trains were travelling at below 40kph and had collided head-on. “By right the trains should not be on the same track,” he said.

One train was carrying passengers, while the other train was empty and was on its way from Kampung Baru to Gombak.

Investigations are ongoing as to how the accident happened. “There could have been a miscommunication,” he said.

Rail operator Prasarana Malaysia Bhd said the accident involved trains number 240 and 181.

Federal Territories minister Annuar Musa called for a detailed investigation into whether there had been any negligence, especially at the control station. “Public safety must always be given priority,” he said.

Pictures and videos circulating on social media show injured and bleeding passengers on the floor of the carriages.

Prasarana said emergency and rescue services were at the scene and all injured passengers had been evacuated to the platform.

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