Two passengers were killed when a high-speed train collided with a truck in eastern Czech Republic.

The crash occurred at 7.43am today local time at a rail crossing in the town of Studenka.

Thirteen people were injured, and three of them are in a critical condition.

Lukas Humpl, a spokesman for the rescuers, said the truck driver escaped unharmed.

The train was travelling from Bohumin to the western town of Frantiskovy Lazne. The major rail line that links Prague with the eastern part of the country has now been closed for an unspecified time.

Members of the Czech government were travelling by train at the same time in the opposite direction for a meeting in the eastern city of Ostrava.

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