Tunisian passenger train hits truck on the tracks, killing 17 people, injuring 70

A rescue worker walks past a derailed train outside Fahs, 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Tunis, Tunisia, Tuesday, June 16, 2015. A Tunisian passenger train smashed into a semi-trailer truck southwest of the capital early Tuesday morning, killing more than a dozen people, according to authorities. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi) (The Associated Press)

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Rescue workers stand by the wreckage of a train outside Fahs, 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Tunis, Tunisia, Tuesday, June 16, 2015. A Tunisian passenger train smashed into a semi-trailer truck southwest of the capital early Tuesday morning, killing more than a dozen people, according to authorities. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi) (The Associated Press)

A man stands by a derailed carriage of a train outside Fahs, 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Tunis, Tunisia, Tuesday, June 16, 2015. A Tunisian passenger train smashed into a semi-trailer truck southwest of the capital early Tuesday morning, killing more than a dozen people, according to authorities. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi) (The Associated Press)

TUNIS, Tunisia – Tunisian authorities say a passenger train has smashed into a semi-trailer truck on tracks west of the capital, killing 17 people and injuring a further 70.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammed Ali Aroui said the crash happened at 6:30 a.m. outside the town of Fahs, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of the capital, Tunis, where the train was heading.

He added that ambulances have been sent from neighboring cities to transport the injured to hospitals.

Tunisian Radio Mosaique said the driver of the train and truck were among the victims.