In Iran, at least 44 people were killed and 100 others injured when two passenger trains collided in Semnan province yesterday. <br/><br/>The crash occurred on the main line between Tehran and Mashhad. Officials said, more than 70 people have been taken to hospitals and the death toll could rise. <br/><br/>Relief and rescue operations are underway. The cause of the crash is under investigation.<br/><br/>President Hassan Rouhani has ordered an acceleration of rescue efforts as well as an investigation into the crash.

At least 44 people were killed and 103 injured when one Iranian passenger train collided with another at a station in the northern province of Semnan, about 250 kms east of the capital Tehran.<br/><br/>Semnan provincial governor Mohammad Reza Khabbaz said it appeared that a train entering the Haft-Khan station on the outskirts of Shahroud ploughed into another that had broken down there.<br/><br/>The provincial governor said that more than 70 people were admitted to hospital after the crash.<br/><br/>Emergency services were still battling to put out the fire and rescue injured passengers from the overturned carriages.