At least seven people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a train crash in central Israel, say officials.

The packed passenger train was going south from Tel Aviv when it is thought to have collided with a truck at a level crossing near Kiryat Gat town.

Witnesses spoke of horrific scenes, with passengers thrown from carriages and at least two rail cars derailed.

Rescue teams were working to free people from the wreckage as helicopters evacuated casualties from the scene.

Some rescuers spoke of difficulty reaching the site, because the crash had happened away from the main roads.

Israeli broadcasters interrupted their scheduled programming to report from the scene.

Train crashes in Israel are rare, and the BBC's Alan Johnston in the region says the scale of this tragedy has shocked Israelis.

'Horrible sight'

"We are getting the wounded out to hospitals as quickly as possible," said Uri Bar Lev, the southern police commander.

He said there were "apparently" deaths, but figures would not be provided until later.

An official of the Magen David Adom ambulance service said at least seven people, while more than 100 people had been injured, at least three of them seriously.

A baby was also reported to be among the dead.