Reuters initial reported claiming 17 dead and at least 126 injured in the tragedy.

The Taiwan Railways Administration said in a statement: "As of 6.30pm there are 17 dead on site and 126 people injured.”

Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported that more than 30 people were still trapped in the train.

The Puyuma Express train came off the rails shortly before 4.50pm local time (9.50am BST), leaving numerous people dead.

The train was travelling between Shulin and Taitung and many passengers were asleep when the crash happened.

Six carriages were overturned as a result of the crash.

The local press in Taiwan claim there were more than 300 people on board.